Alchemy essentially morphed into chemistry

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SUMMARY

Alchemy has evolved into modern chemistry, particularly highlighted during the industrial revolution. Key points include the validity of transmutation under specific conditions, the necessity of repeated distillation for achieving transmutation, and the requirement for alchemists to provide experimental proof. Notably, the discussion mentions the potential for Uranium radiation to trigger the transmutation of Mercury-201 to Gold-197, although this process has a very low probability of occurrence. Overall, while alchemy may appear occult, it fundamentally aligns with scientific methods and principles.

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arivero
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15 Jun 2002, I did in sci.skeptic a post that can be of interest in this forum.
I can see some positive points:
-Transmutation is true.
-Repeated destilation is needed for transmutation power.
-The alchemist is required to proceed experimentally.
-Internal consistency requres to the alchemist to show a concrete experimental proof.
So it seems that while "occult", it proceeds with scientific method and it looks for a goal which is compatible with physical laws.
As well as a physical remark:
The energy in Uranium radiation can trigger (low probability,
but it can) Hg201 going to Pt197, which decays to Au197. With
time, it should be espectacular, as Hg201 is liquid but Au197 is
solid.
(here, I should add that Hg201-->Au197 is exotermic by itself, just it happens that spontaneus emission of cold alpha particles has a very very very low probability)
 
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I have a history of alchemy essay (unfinished) at http://bad-sports.com/~archive/alchemy.doc It is best views in MS Word so you can see the footnotes.
 
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Alchemy essentially morphed into chemistry with the industrial revolution. Though radioactive decay is similar (but not the same) as transmutation, I'd say the alchemists of ancient times just got lucky. Alchemy doesn't exist today.
 

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