Chemistry
The word chemistry is derived from the middle age word Alchemy which is found in several European languages. Alchemy derives from the Egyptian word ‘kimiya’ which means blackness, denoting the dark black soil of the Nile valley. Therefore, Alchemy can be seen In the Egyptian at, which is also called ‘black art’.
Over the years, alchemists were regarded as forerunners denoted for transformational art. Alchemy was a philosophical tradition practiced during middle age. The way chemistry heads its way to alchemy was the Alchemist’s attempts in purifying and perfect certain materials which over time gave rise to the art of chemistry. The common aims of the alchemy art was transmutation of base metals, like lead into noble metals particularly gold. Gold during that time earned increased demand and happened to have property value as well. Hence, alchemists were regarded as magicians , as they thought of creating valuable metals, presumably out of nothing. The making of philosopher’s stone was connected to the projects of alchemists. Therefore, Alchemists were the earliest scientists, developing laboratory protocols and theories in chemistry and medicine, some of which are still used till date.
Alchemy is popularly associated with magic. Over the years science revealed so much truth that the magic now seems the most logical phenomenon. Although chemistry occurs in everything from human relationship, to biology to art and fossils, the phenomenon always causes a change. Like, the change of color of leaves , graying of our hair, the reactions in test tubes, the birth of a child to name a few. The whole idea seems magical of how the change is creative and destructive at the same time. It makes me wonder, the reactions that we think are in equilibrium and can be measured quantitatively as chemists, are just minuscule of the flux maintained by the universe through chemistry. This change is a constant factor and the rate of the change determines what you achieve. Once my uncle said, all good scientists are good cook, the art or proportion might have some symmetry with chemistry in lab. The extend of how and why each ingredient is needed, the cook time, the flame, the moisture content and the degree of tenderness determines the taste of the meal. Comprehending the rules of chemistry has taken decades, although chemistry has caused the universe to form and planets to decay. Think about how everything happening in the universe at this moment is a reaction and is the most effective way of change.
