Final answer:
Alchemy contributed most notably to modern chemistry by enhancing the collective understanding of chemical reactions throughout history. As alchemy paved the way for scientific inquiry, it also set the stage for the development of atomic theory and the concept of the mole, crucial aspects of chemical science today.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alchemy has proven most useful to modern chemistry through understanding chemical reactions. Throughout history, alchemists played a crucial role in developing the foundations of chemistry. While their goals often included the financially motivated attempt to transmute common substances into precious metals, such as turning lead into gold, they inadvertently discovered systematic features of substances and how they react chemically. These efforts also led to the isolation of substances from plants and animals, creation of alloys, and production of alcohol through fermentation and distillation.
The transition from alchemy to chemistry was marked by a shift from secrecy to open scientific inquiry. Collective knowledge expanded significantly as the Middle Ages ended, laying the groundwork for future scientific advancements. Alchemists' manipulations of matter contributed to the eventual establishment of key chemistry theories in the nineteenth century. The work of eminent figures like John Dalton and Amedeo Avogadro helped establish atomic theory and the mole concept, which are foundational to chemistry today.