During class today, Sophie was absent again so I worked on more alchemy notes. This time I looked at mostly videos and some more experiments, including some that I might be able to do in class. Some of the experiments talked about using Aqua Fortis or Aqua Regia. I had no idea what either one actually was so I researched for a couple minutes to gain better knowledge. Aqua Fortis is just nitric acid. Alchemists most commonly used it to dissolve silver and other metals besides gold. They also used it to separate silver from either copper or gold. Alchemists created it by mixing either sand, aluminum, vitriol, or sometimes both aluminum and vitriol, with saltpeter. Saltpeter is potassium nitrate. Then after mixing the ingredients, the alchemists would distill it close to a hot fire. Aqua Regia was used by alchemists to dissolve gold or platinum. It's a mix of both nitric acid and hydrochloric acid that had a yellow and orange colored liquid.
While I was watching videos, I found some short videos about the process of transmutation of copper with silver nitrate. Andrew told me that I would be able to do the experiment during class if I wanted to. I think during the last section I might work on doing that experiment because it would be a fun way to try a simple alchemy experiment.
While I was watching videos, I found some short videos about the process of transmutation of copper with silver nitrate. Andrew told me that I would be able to do the experiment during class if I wanted to. I think during the last section I might work on doing that experiment because it would be a fun way to try a simple alchemy experiment.