(LESSON 1

ANCIENT GREEK ON
THE ELEMENTS)
ELEMENTS
They are the substances
that are composed of only
one kind of atom.
DEMOCRITUS
According to Democritus there are four basic
substances:
1. AIR- carry the properties of lightness and
dryness.
2. WATER- takes the properties of heaviness and
wetness.
3. STONE- bears the properties of heaviness and
dryness.
4.FIRE- were thought to be mobile slippery and
hot.
 ALCHEMY
Alchemy was an ancient branch of natural
philosophy.
Alchemy played an important role in the evolution
of science.
It was an early philosophical and spiritual field of
study.
With the combination of chemistry and metal
works.
It was also investigate our nature.
Alchemy included the following in their studies:

1. Physics- study of matter and energy.

2. Medicine- study the maintenance of health.
3. Astrology- study of position and aspects of heavenly
bodies.
4. Mysticism- the study of truth and mysteries.
5. Spiritualism- beliefs and religious practice.
6. Art- creating visual activities.
 ALCHEMY:
To find Elixir of Life- They thought that this
magical elixir would bring health, wealth and
eternal life.
To find and make substance called the
Philosopher stone. The philosopher stone is when
heated and combined with copper and gold it would
turn it in gold. They thought to be the highest and
purest form of matter.
To discover the relationship of humans to the
cosmos and use that understanding to improve the
human spirit. Alchemy is scientific but it was also
spiritual.
Alchemy itself died out during eighteenth century
with the rise of modern science.
Alchemist contributed to an incredible number of
future uses of chemicals such as:
1. Metal working
2. Inks
3. Paints
4. Cosmetics
5. Extracts of Liquors
 FAMOUS ALCHEMIST
1. DEMOCRITUS- PHILOSOPHER
2. ARISTOTLE- ALCHEMIST
3. ALEXANDER THE GREAT- ALCHEMIST
4. JABIR IBN HAYYAN- ALCHEMIST
5. PARACELSUS- ALCHEMIST
6. ROBERT BOYLE- ALCHEMIST
7. ANTOINE LAURENT LAVOISIER- A
8. RUSSIAN DMITRI MENDELEEV- A
ARISTOTLE
(384-322 BCE )
-He believed all matter are
composed of four elements:
• Earth
• Air
• Fire
• Water
-He influenced his alchemy student
Alexander the great.
GREAT
(356-323 BCE)
• He is student of Aristotle
• He established Alexandria in
Egypt as a center of learning.
• Alexander said by some to have
discovered the Greek God
Herme’s famous emerald tablet.
JABIR IBN HAYYAN
(721-815)
- He is a royal chemist in Baghdad.
(Arabic chemist)
- Jabir’s writing were the first
mention important metallic
compound.
- Like aristotle he also believed
metals grew in earth.
PARACELSUS (1493-1531)
-He is a european alchemists.
-He was the first Toxicologist.
-Toxicology is the study of poison.
- He proposed that the balance can
maintain health are because of this
three substances:
1. Mercury
2. Sulfur
3. Salt
ROBERT BOYLE
(1627-1692)
- He is the father of modern
chemistry.
- He developed the Boyle’s
law that states that if the
volume of gas decreases as
pressure increases.
ANTOINE LAURENT LAVOISIER
(1743-1794)
- He is a Frenchman alchemical chemist.
- He wrote the first chemistry text book.
- He made the metallic and non-metallic
elements.
- He also referred as the father of modern
chemistry.
DMITRI MENDELEEV
(1834-1907)
- He is with Lavoisier that
organized all those elements
into the periodic table of
elements.
- Mendeleev’s periodic table
are use as of today.