Philosopher's Stone
"...The stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal. There have been many reports of the Philosopher's Stone over the centuries, but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicolas Flamel...who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year [and] enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife, Parnelle (six hundred and fifty-eight)." (PS)
The Philosopher’s Stone has long been sought after; it goes back to the 6th century BC where Chinese Alchemists tried to make it. Alchemy is considered a form of chemistry, but one book described it as a blending of chemistry with magic. Well wouldn’t it be magic to turn any metal into gold? Although many wanted to find the stone in order to gain wealth, most wanted the immortality it was rumored to come with. However, the story of the stone cannot be complete without Nicolas Flamel.
Flamel
Nicolas Flamel was born around 1330. His life is a mix of truth and fiction, but the most known story goes something like this…. One night Nicolas Flamel dreamed an angel stood before him. The angel held a book in his hands and uttered these words, which were to remain in the memory of the hearer: "Look well at this book, Nicholas. At first you will understand nothing in it, ¾ of it neither you nor any other man will understand. But one day you will see in it that which no other man will be able to see." Flamel stretched out his hand to receive the present from the angel, and the whole scene disappeared in the golden light of dreams. One day, when Nicolas Flamel was alone in his shop, an unknown man in need of money appeared with a manuscript to sell. Flamel was no doubt tempted to turn him away. But the moment he saw the book he recognized it as the book that the angel had held out to him and he paid two florins for it without bargaining. In order to understand the book he consulted many people and even traveled to Spain. After the trip to Spain he was able to turn half a pound of mercury into silver and mercury into gold. It is believed that a white stone was used to make silver and a red stone for gold (like the stone in HP). It is also believed that after this he even created the elixir of life. Nicolas Flamel died in either 1417 or 1418. Future studies have said that Flamel never even worked in Alchemy. What’s the real story? Decide for yourself.
More Modern scientists have also sought the Philosopher’s Stone, Isaac Newton, Leonardo DaVanci, and most notably, Robert Boyle. Boyle is one of the founders of modern chemistry. He created a solvent called menstruum peracutum in which he dissolved a piece of gold. This created a white solvent than when mixed with melted borax, he created silver (but honestly why would you use gold to make silver?). Because of this Boyle started to believe the Stone was real. He had heard stories from others that made the case even more believable. One gentleman said he had dissolved silver in a compound that helps transformations and the silver turned to gold. Later studies find that the silver was actually a mixture of silver, gold and copper and the compound ate away at the silver and copper leaving only the gold. Today we are finding ways to change one element to another, after all you just need to add or take away atoms, easier said than done. Chemists couldn’t do it on their own so they turned to physicists to help them out. Physicists have to cause nuclear reactions to change one metal to another. Platinum (78 atoms) went through a nuclear reaction in order to create gold (79 atoms). In 1980 Peter Armbruster merged cooper and tin to create gold.
So what about the elixir of life, is that real? The answer is yes and no. Scientists today have done research using worms, fruit flies and mice. Like we know already, your diet plays a role in how long you’ll live, but what about the smells and tastes you come across. One scientist found that lessening a worm’s surroundings increased its life by more than 33%. This kind of proves that our environment is a factor in how long we live. Most of this stuff is complicated, but doctors and scientists are experimenting with certain drugs and finding genes in our bodies that affect how long we live.
We know that through modern science today we can change one element into another, but through very complex reactions. I doubt these reactions could have been caused even a hundred years ago. This has to make you wonder if the alchemists ever really created the Philosopher’s Stone.
Homework
You’re in the lab trying to create the Philosopher’s, there’s an explosion and the next thing you know you see a bright red stone. You’ve done it, congratulations! What will you do with your stone?? This must be at least 200 words. (20 points)
There is a theory that all things are made from four elements. Some thought that by rearranging the mix of these four they could change one metal into another, what are the four elements? (10 points)
In what book did Hermione find Nicholas Flamel? (5 points)
How did the trio originally find out who Nicholas Flamel was? (5 points)
Do you believe Flamel’s story? If you need to, do a little research into his story and tell me if he was crazy, or a genius. Give proof for either claim. (10 points)
Email the assignment to professornoodle@gmail.com by November 30th.
Also, don't forget to check your points, many of you have reached the 100 point mark and are guarenteed a quill for this term. Just remember can only recieve 200 points total for this term!
The Philosopher’s Stone has long been sought after; it goes back to the 6th century BC where Chinese Alchemists tried to make it. Alchemy is considered a form of chemistry, but one book described it as a blending of chemistry with magic. Well wouldn’t it be magic to turn any metal into gold? Although many wanted to find the stone in order to gain wealth, most wanted the immortality it was rumored to come with. However, the story of the stone cannot be complete without Nicolas Flamel.
Flamel
Nicolas Flamel was born around 1330. His life is a mix of truth and fiction, but the most known story goes something like this…. One night Nicolas Flamel dreamed an angel stood before him. The angel held a book in his hands and uttered these words, which were to remain in the memory of the hearer: "Look well at this book, Nicholas. At first you will understand nothing in it, ¾ of it neither you nor any other man will understand. But one day you will see in it that which no other man will be able to see." Flamel stretched out his hand to receive the present from the angel, and the whole scene disappeared in the golden light of dreams. One day, when Nicolas Flamel was alone in his shop, an unknown man in need of money appeared with a manuscript to sell. Flamel was no doubt tempted to turn him away. But the moment he saw the book he recognized it as the book that the angel had held out to him and he paid two florins for it without bargaining. In order to understand the book he consulted many people and even traveled to Spain. After the trip to Spain he was able to turn half a pound of mercury into silver and mercury into gold. It is believed that a white stone was used to make silver and a red stone for gold (like the stone in HP). It is also believed that after this he even created the elixir of life. Nicolas Flamel died in either 1417 or 1418. Future studies have said that Flamel never even worked in Alchemy. What’s the real story? Decide for yourself.
More Modern scientists have also sought the Philosopher’s Stone, Isaac Newton, Leonardo DaVanci, and most notably, Robert Boyle. Boyle is one of the founders of modern chemistry. He created a solvent called menstruum peracutum in which he dissolved a piece of gold. This created a white solvent than when mixed with melted borax, he created silver (but honestly why would you use gold to make silver?). Because of this Boyle started to believe the Stone was real. He had heard stories from others that made the case even more believable. One gentleman said he had dissolved silver in a compound that helps transformations and the silver turned to gold. Later studies find that the silver was actually a mixture of silver, gold and copper and the compound ate away at the silver and copper leaving only the gold. Today we are finding ways to change one element to another, after all you just need to add or take away atoms, easier said than done. Chemists couldn’t do it on their own so they turned to physicists to help them out. Physicists have to cause nuclear reactions to change one metal to another. Platinum (78 atoms) went through a nuclear reaction in order to create gold (79 atoms). In 1980 Peter Armbruster merged cooper and tin to create gold.
So what about the elixir of life, is that real? The answer is yes and no. Scientists today have done research using worms, fruit flies and mice. Like we know already, your diet plays a role in how long you’ll live, but what about the smells and tastes you come across. One scientist found that lessening a worm’s surroundings increased its life by more than 33%. This kind of proves that our environment is a factor in how long we live. Most of this stuff is complicated, but doctors and scientists are experimenting with certain drugs and finding genes in our bodies that affect how long we live.
We know that through modern science today we can change one element into another, but through very complex reactions. I doubt these reactions could have been caused even a hundred years ago. This has to make you wonder if the alchemists ever really created the Philosopher’s Stone.
Homework
You’re in the lab trying to create the Philosopher’s, there’s an explosion and the next thing you know you see a bright red stone. You’ve done it, congratulations! What will you do with your stone?? This must be at least 200 words. (20 points)
There is a theory that all things are made from four elements. Some thought that by rearranging the mix of these four they could change one metal into another, what are the four elements? (10 points)
In what book did Hermione find Nicholas Flamel? (5 points)
How did the trio originally find out who Nicholas Flamel was? (5 points)
Do you believe Flamel’s story? If you need to, do a little research into his story and tell me if he was crazy, or a genius. Give proof for either claim. (10 points)
Email the assignment to professornoodle@gmail.com by November 30th.
Also, don't forget to check your points, many of you have reached the 100 point mark and are guarenteed a quill for this term. Just remember can only recieve 200 points total for this term!
posted by Amanda at 9:36 AM
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