A tree falls. No animals with functioning ears are around. Does the tree falling make a sound?
2006-11-24 17:58:01 · 17 answers · asked by rev_dane_eidson 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
Look up the definition of "sound". Since there is nothing present to decipher the vibrations in the air, then that's all the tree does. It causes silent air vibrations. It takes some sort of medium to receive these fluctuations in air movement to create "sound".
And, as it happens so often on this site, questions like these bring out the scholars from the the trailer park.
2006-11-24 17:59:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes, the vibrations, which normally travel into your ear and become what is known to you as 'noise', still travel.
The lack of people hearing the sound does not make the sound nonexistent. Instead it only means the sound has not been recognized.
2006-11-25 02:05:32 · answer #2 · answered by eve16455 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course!!once something makes a strong collision with another thing, it will make a sound...except only in a total vacuum quite similar to the outer space 'cause sound waves can't travel without any matter as its medium.
2006-11-25 02:02:00 · answer #3 · answered by karl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course it makes a sound the biger tree then then the bigger the sound, Does zen Buddism have to be made a compulsory course now!
2006-11-25 02:04:22 · answer #4 · answered by Sid B 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No...in fact the tree doesnt even actually fall if no one sees it
2006-11-25 22:05:36 · answer #5 · answered by Skinny 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
this is a very simple question... if you define sound as a vibration of air in the frequency we can hear.. then yes of course...
if you define sound as the act of perceiving the vibrations of the air, then no.. there is no noise.
so the answer is simple and definite, just depends on which defenition of "sound" you use.
this question was posed by an idealistic idiot.
2006-11-25 07:08:12 · answer #6 · answered by causalitist 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it will make a sound but the sound waves will only reach out so far... so if no living being is around no one will hear it, if you happen to hear it that means you were close around . It will ~make a sound!!!!!
hope you get this~
2006-11-25 18:44:56 · answer #7 · answered by Sapphire_2sweet2b4gotten 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
better question.... if a tree falls and no one is around..... does it even matter?
2006-11-25 02:02:21 · answer #8 · answered by Zebrra 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course. Unless they're ninja trees. They can be tricky.
2006-11-25 02:02:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes... its a tree falling..its not gonna be silent
2006-11-25 02:05:34 · answer #10 · answered by MissBellaGirl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋