2006-06-12 18:00:46 · 22 answers · asked by weaverosu 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
this question is actually answered in my biology book..here is what it says:
"perceptions, such as colors, smells, sounds and tastes, are constructions of the brain and do not exist outside it. so, if a tree falls and no one is present to hear it, is there a sound? the fall certainly produces pressure waves in the air, but if sound is defined as a perception, then there is none unless sensory receptors detect the waves and an animals brain perceives them"
2006-06-12 18:05:35 · answer #1 · answered by laura 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when the tree falls the vibrations at all stages of the falling are sent out into the open air. if there is nothing to recieve the 'lengths' sent out during this occourance, no sound will ever be heard. this is because sound is created and percieved by the brain by sound waves interecepted in the ear. No sound will be heard, but soundwaves will be created by the falling tree.
2006-06-13 03:21:16 · answer #2 · answered by the yoda of answers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to one interpretation of quantum theory the tree has not fallen until has been observed it in that state. It is in a mixed probability state of of fallen/not fallen.
As for the noise more classically if the tree has fallen something had to have happened with the dissipated energy.
2006-06-13 01:22:19 · answer #3 · answered by georgephysics13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are trying to get at the quantum philosophy, it says that it is not a question we should ask and expect to get a scientifically meaningful answer.
If you have not tried to observe the sound, then there is no meaning in asking whether sound was produced.
Understand that this is DIFFERENT from tried but could not record the sound - in which case you can definitely say that sound was not produced within the accuracy of your try of detection
The issue is we can't say about something on which we donot experiment with, or things which are out of range of probing.
(BTW: the technical name of this interpretation is Copenhagen interpretation. It is the largest accepted interpretation, but not complete.)
2006-06-13 01:19:02 · answer #4 · answered by debraj_roy_dr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Logically, the answer would be yes, if a tree falls it would make a sound. But there is no proof of it, because no one was actually there to hear it.
2006-06-13 01:04:39 · answer #5 · answered by whatelks67 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutley, since the falling tree sets up waves of sound in the air. Whether there is someone there to hear it or not, the waves still come from the falling tree.
2006-06-13 01:04:14 · answer #6 · answered by SolMan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My science teacher asked us this question in high school. If i am remembering correctly... Sound is vibration perceived by the human ear. Therefore, if a tree falls it will create a vibration, but if no one is there to hear it, it isn't technically a sound. So the answer to your question is No.
2006-06-13 04:19:10 · answer #7 · answered by hollimaree 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends where the woods are. there are probably some woods out there somewhere that don't make sound. also, if it does make sound, then maybe the bugs or someone hears it-it doesn't have to be a person. the same can be argued-'if i fart, and no one is around, does the fart smell?' i don't know. that's a tougher question!
2006-06-13 01:06:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
noise is an unpleasant sound waves which are unsymmetrical. SO the falling of the tree does make noise, the unpleasant waves, it just that we can't hear it as the waves can't reach us.
2006-06-13 04:42:26 · answer #9 · answered by ciute 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Theoretically, you could measure the effect of the sound waves on the material around it, so you could determine it made a sound.
2006-06-13 01:02:49 · answer #10 · answered by Amarkov 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋