Final answer:
Alchemists in the 16th century mainly aimed to turn base metals into gold, in their pursuit of wealth and power.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alchemists in the 16th century were primarily focused on the goal of turning base metals into gold. They believed that by discovering the process to achieve this transformation, they would gain great wealth and power. This pursuit of transmutation was known as the Philosopher's Stone. While some alchemists also engaged in other investigations such as seeking the secret of eternal life or developing flying machines, the primary objective was the creation of gold.
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