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What is alchemy?

Answer
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Hint: Alchemy is the ancient science and philosophy of transforming basic materials (such as metals) into other materials. It also looked into the relationship between substances (and how they are converted into other substances) and magic and astrology.

Complete answer:
Alchemy is a centuries-old activity that can be seen as a forerunner to chemistry. The word alchemy is derived from the Arabic al-kimiyya, which is said to have originated in Greek. Alchemy is based on the conversion of one substance into another, usually a base metal like lead or iron into a “noble” metal like silver or gold. Alchemists were those who studied alchemy. Alchemists attempted to turn lead or mercury into gold, creating the philosopher's stone.
The alchemist's three main goals were to uncover the Philosophers' Stone (the Stone of Knowledge), discover the medium of Eternal Youth and Health, and learn how to transmute metals
Alchemists believed that matter, mind, philosophies, religion, magic, and astrology were all connected. They attempted to connect the dots between them. They attempted to comprehend one by comprehending the other. Metals (such as gold or silver) were utilized by certain alchemists to represent spiritual or occult beliefs. Alchemy was studied by people from all around the world.

Note:
In English, alchemy and alchemist are older words than chemistry and chemist. Alchemists believed that through transmuting, or changing an essential element into a greater form, lead could be "perfected" into gold, illnesses could be cured, and life could be extended. Their covert experiments, which generally involved heat and liquid mixing, resulted in the rise of modern chemistry.