Quintessence

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 a similar effect. Quintessence differs from a cosmological constant, which is static, in that quintessence is dynamic. Both quintessence and the cosmological constant are forms of dark 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?"

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