Transmutation vs. Alchemy — What's the Difference?

A controlled process in scientific experiments.

A medieval practice aimed at the transmutation of matter, often into gold, and searching for life-extending elixirs.

Initially sought through alchemy but achieved through modern science.

The mythical substance capable of turning base metals into gold.

Applied in creating elements and isotopes not found naturally.

Contributed to the development of modern chemistry.

The act or process of changing one element into another, as in nuclear physics.

Influenced literature, psychology, and the arts.

A physical change where atomic nuclei are transformed.

A journey for personal and spiritual purification.

The action of changing or the state of being changed into another form

Alchemy (from Arabic: al-kīmiyā; from Ancient Greek: khumeía) is an ancient branch of natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific tradition that was historically practiced in China, India, the Muslim world, and Europe. In its Western form, alchemy is first attested in a number of pseudepigraphical texts written in Greco-Roman Egypt during the first few centuries CE.Alchemists attempted to purify, mature, and perfect certain materials.

The act or an instance of transmuting; transformation.

The medieval forerunner of chemistry, concerned with the transmutation of matter, in particular with attempts to convert base metals into gold or find a universal elixir

The state of being transmuted.

A medieval chemical philosophy having as its asserted aims the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of the panacea, and the preparation of the elixir of longevity.

(Physics) Transformation of one element into another by one or a series of nuclear reactions.

A seemingly magical power or process of transmuting

The supposed conversion of base metals into gold or silver in alchemy.

(uncountable) The premodern and early modern study of physical changes, particularly in Europe, Arabia, and China and chiefly in pursuit of an elixir of immortality, a universal panacea, and/or a philosopher's stone able to transmute base metals into gold, eventually developing into chemistry.

(obsolete) Change, alteration.

(countable) The causing of any sort of mysterious sudden transmutation.

The conversion of one thing into something else; transformation.

Any elaborate transformation process or algorithm.

(alchemy) Specifically, the supposed transformation of one element into another, especially of a base metal into gold.

An imaginary art which aimed to transmute the baser metals into gold, to find the panacea, or universal remedy for diseases, etc. It led the way to modern chemistry.

(physics) The actual transformation of one element into another by a nuclear reaction.

A mixed metal composed mainly of brass, formerly used for various utensils; hence, a trumpet.

The act of transmuting, or the state of being transmuted; as, the transmutation of metals.

Miraculous power of transmuting something common into something precious.

The change or reduction of one figure or body into another of the same area or solidity, but of a different form, as of a triangle into a square.

A pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times

The change of one species into another, which is assumed to take place in any development theory of life; transformism.

The way two individuals relate to each other;

An act that changes the form or character or substance of something

A qualitative change

(physics) the change of one chemical element into another (as by nuclear decay or radioactive bombardment);

Yes, natural transmutation occurs in processes like radioactive decay.

Yes, alchemy played a key role in the development of modern chemistry and scientific methods.

It symbolized ultimate wisdom and the ability to achieve perfection, both materially and spiritually.

While alchemists did not achieve their goal of transmuting base metals into gold, their work laid the foundation for modern chemistry.

The philosopher's stone is a mythical concept from alchemy with no basis in reality.

It's used in nuclear reactors and in producing isotopes for medical and industrial applications.

Nuclear reactions are a form of transmutation, as they involve changing one element into another.

Despite numerous attempts, alchemists were never able to create gold through alchemical processes.

Transmutation is a specific process of changing one element into another, while alchemy is an ancient practice that sought transmutation among other goals.

Alchemy contributed to the development of experimental methods and the empirical approach that characterizes modern science.

Alchemy is often viewed as a precursor to modern science, blending experimental processes with mysticism.

The rise of empirical science and the scientific method made many of alchemy’s goals and methods obsolete.

In theory, transmutation could be reversed in certain reactions, but this is generally not practical or energy-efficient.

Modern chemistry and physics can be seen as the successors to alchemy, especially in their pursuit of material transformation.

Yes, beyond the material goals, alchemy aimed at spiritual purification and enlightenment.