Final answer:
An astronaut weighing 235 lbs on Earth would weigh approximately 174.25 newtons on the Moon due to the reduced acceleration due to gravity, which is about one-sixth of the gravity on Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an astronaut who weighs 235 lbs on Earth travels to the Moon, their weight in newtons will be significantly less due to the lower acceleration due to gravity on the Moon. On Earth, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.80 m/s², and on the Moon, it is only about 1.625 m/s² or 1.67 m/s², depending on the source. This reduction in gravity means that the astronaut's weight on the Moon will be one-sixth of their Earth weight.
To convert the astronaut's weight from pounds to newtons, we use the conversion factor that 1 pound is equal to 4.44822 newtons. Therefore, the astronaut's weight on Earth equals 235 lbs × 4.44822 N/lb ≈ 1045.53 N. Since the Moon's gravity is one-sixth of the Earth's, the astronaut's weight on the Moon would be approximately 1045.53 N / 6 ≈ 174.25 N.