What is an alchemist trying to do?

Answer 1

They tried to turn lead into metal

and make potions for ever lasting life(live forever)

They also tried converting cheap metal to gold. With this contribution, it really helped a lot in barter. And also, the alchemists believed that with some magic, you can be immortal. It is said that they discovered philosopher's stone. Once you have that stone, you'll be immortal.

With the help of the Alchemists, they made Chemistry part of science.

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Answer 2

Alchemists had experience at dealing with many aspects of chemistry. When they finally knew what they were doing and how it happened, they could do it a lot better, and became real chemists (as opposed to the witchdoctory that was much of alchemy).

Answer 3

Alchemists believe they can change any substance into something else if and only if it had equal value. you can never transmute something into gold either. the followed the law of equivlent trade. "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving somthing in return. To obtain something with equal value must be lost."