Final answer:
Newton's work in alchemy was part of his wider scientific inquiries in an era before the formal establishment of modern chemistry and was aligned with the pursuits of learned individuals of his time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The work of Sir Isaac Newton in alchemy, while not "legit" in the modern scientific sense, was a part of his broader pursuit of knowledge during the Scientific Revolution. Newton is renown for his Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which outlined the laws of motion and universal gravitation, laying the foundation for classical mechanics. While alchemy itself did not adhere to the principles of the scientific method, its practice led to the development of experimental techniques and contributed to the transformation into the science of chemistry. In the context of the time, the goals of alchemy, such as the transmutation of substances and the quest for the elixir of life, were serious endeavors pursued by many learned men, including Newton.