The Roots of Contemporary Chemistry

Abstract

In this study, some information that may be useful in explaining the subject of "Chemistry from Alchemy to Chemistry" of the Chemistry Science Unit, one of the 9thgrade units of the 2018 High School Chemistry Syllabus, was discussed. Alchemy covers the processes of converting simple metals to noble metals. This means that copper and lead, which are generally abundant in nature, are converted into gold and silver with the help of the Philosopher Stone. Alchemy is also an effort to seek a particular drug that will provide immortality with the elixir of life, a universal cure that will cure diseases. In the study, related documents were used as a data collection tool. Alchemists were not only concerned with material changes. Their desire to turn a rusty metal into gold or silver has been identified with the fact that bad people, too cleans their souls and become good people. What the alchemists describe as immortality is that the soul is immortal rather than the body. They are perfectionists who want everything and everyone to be the best. With this information, informing high school students who take chemistry lessons about alchemy, which is the pre-scientific state of chemistry, is important in terms of the history of chemistry and its stages. Students' interest in the history of science will enable scientists to understand their efforts.

Keywords

• alchemy
• chemistry
• high school chemistry curriculum