Os Laboratórios de Química ao Longo dos Séculos XVI, XVII, XVIII e XIX

Resumo

This study analyzes the evolution of chemistry laboratories throughout the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, addressing their transformation from spaces dedicated to alchemy and mystical practices to environments focused on the scientific rigor that characterizes modern chemistry. The problem presented in this study lies in the question: How did chemistry laboratories evolve throughout the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, and how did these changes contribute to the establishment of chemistry as an experimental and rigorous science? Initially influenced by alchemical objectives, these laboratories began to incorporate principles of observation and control that underpinned the scientific practices of the following centuries. The 17th century was an important milestone, with the introduction of the scientific method, advocated by figures such as Robert Boyle, which promoted the use of more precise equipment and the systematic organization of laboratories. In the 19th century, the consolidation of laboratories in university education established a new standard of scientific practice, integrating chemistry into the educational system and institutionalizing it as an independent experimental science. It is concluded that chemistry laboratories were fundamental to scientific development, playing an essential role in the transition to modern chemistry and in the advancement of methodologies that fostered experimentation and scientific education. This progress not only allowed the training of new scientists, but also ensured the expansion and popularization of chemical knowledge, establishing foundations that continue to influence current scientific practice.