

In _Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood_ , Edward Elric transmutes a car into one
with different colors than the original. However, in alchemy, there is the
principle of Equivalent Exchange.

![the transmuted car with purple color](https://i.stack.imgur.com/OF4Uqm.png)

How did he create the colors that weren't there in the original car?


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fullmetal-alchemist-series fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood
How did Edward Elric transmute a car with different colors than the original one?


# In-universe explanation

The Principle of Equivalent Exchange can be understood as similar to the
concept of Conservation of Mass in physics and chemistry. In other words, the
elemental identity and quantity of the materials used should not change. (The
degree to which this is a good comparison is ambiguous. Early chapters of FMA
[suggest](https://anime.stackexchange.com/q/8075/2604) that it is possible to
transmute gold.)

Color changes may result from chemical reactions, and even [different
compounds](https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2frl8a/why_do_different_oxides_of_the_same_metal_have/)
consisting of the same elements may have different colors. Thus, by the same
logic, the Principle of Equivalent Exchange does not preclude the possibility
of color changes in transmutation, since color changes do not necessarily
require an obvious addition of a source of color.

# Out-of-universe explanation

The color of a car comes from paint, which has its color affected by its
chemical components. Hence, it is unlikely that one can transmute paint of a
certain color into that of any other color, particularly without the creation
of chemical by-products from the transmutation process. (Edward's
transmutation would have been messier had there been by-products.) However,
color is a sufficiently superficial property that the animators did not think
to worry about this detail.


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