2006-06-25 09:23:31 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
No it doesn't. Just like you are there can you hear me talking to you.
2006-06-25 09:29:06 · answer #1 · answered by James H 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
According to Quantum Mechanics all things (given that they are made of atoms) exist in a superposition of all possible states up untill they are observed. So yes making a noise is a possible state so the tree could make a noise when it falls even if no one is there to hear it, but at the same time because it is not observed it will also not be make a noise.
2006-06-25 15:35:34 · answer #2 · answered by Ren 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sat in a forest with 18 children last week, in complete silence, it was as if we weren't there. The trees didn't fall, but we heard and saw deer, squirrels, rabbits, birds, snails, spiders and millipedes, not to mention the trees' leaves blowing in the wind. I am therefore sure that a tree that falls in a forest makes a noise to some creatures even if there is no human there to hear it.
2006-06-25 09:30:42 · answer #3 · answered by AmandaSuffolk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From a physics piint of view yes. The tree falling would produce the same compression waves (sound waves) that would propagate as sound regardless of wether an observer was present to record them or not.
From a philosophical point of view the question cannot be answered conclusively as it depends upon your particular philosophical views... which is both the point and the reason so may people hate philosophy.
2006-06-29 11:10:08 · answer #4 · answered by Crash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because air is weightless does that mean it doesn't have weight? If we take away a tree from the forest does that mean nothing is left where the tree once was? If one cubic foot of air has a mass weight of one and a quarter ounces does that mean that the air in a cubical space that has the dimensions of a 30 foot long tree doesn't weigh 2000 pounds, that is one ton? This is an "airy" answer that has surprising "weight".
2006-06-25 13:17:38 · answer #5 · answered by hrdwarehobbyist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is noise? If it is sound waves that go on infinitely then yes, the falling tree makes a noise. There are many sounds that humans cannot hear, they are still noises.
2006-06-25 09:28:59 · answer #6 · answered by cate 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, from a physics point of view, squirellywrath is still correct.
To make a sound, something must create a sound wave, and then something else must intercept and acknowledge the sound wave (either yours or an animal’s ears). If the wave is never broken, it simply continues on, and it stays a wave, but is not sound.
2006-06-25 10:55:28 · answer #7 · answered by Slew Queen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From a philosophy point of view I'd say no, because someone has to perceive something in order for it to be real.
BUT, you're asking in "physics", so, since the falling tree produces sound waves, I'd say yes.
2006-06-25 09:36:38 · answer #8 · answered by squirellywrath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is still making a sound. You don't need to hear it for it to be a sound.
If a deaf person is home alone and starts talking to himself, his vocal cords are working, he's making a sound, but no one can hear it. If someone were to walk in while he's talking, he's still making a sound.
2006-06-25 09:29:07 · answer #9 · answered by psychgrad 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did the tree make noise when you were standing there and it fell? Yes, so of course it would STILL make noise.
2006-06-25 09:26:48 · answer #10 · answered by tubbasaurus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do we dry up this steady drool of asinine questions?
Here's a thought: Do stupid questions cease to exist if everyone ignores them? We should all run an experiment to find out.
2006-06-25 09:49:22 · answer #11 · answered by Ethan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋