Quintessence
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2 Elements 3 Alchemy |
Electromagnetics
Quintessence is a hypothetical form of energy postulated to exist in order to explain observations of an accelerating universe. This vacuum energy would act like a vacuum pressure, pushing things apart. Other attempts to explain these recent observations involve a non-zero cosmological constant, which has the same effect. Indeed, sometimes quintessence is said to result in a non-zero cosmological constant, and conversely a non-zero cosmological constant describes the effects of quintessence. Quintessence differs from dark energy in that it does not have a constant energy.
Elements
Among the classical elements, quintessence (meaning "fifth element", along with earth, air, fire, and water) was another term for aether.
Alchemy
In alchemy, quintessence is the purest form of a particular element. (as one would conceive them today). This is seen in the Hamlet solloquiy: "The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals and yet to me what is this quintessence of dust?"
