If a tree in the Forest falls and you are not there, does it make a sound? Someone please weigh out the pros and cons. Thanks
2006-12-08 00:54:57 · 29 answers · asked by destiny 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Well, it would definitely move the air, which is the definition of sound.
But the only reason we hear a noise when a tree falls is because our ears pick up the vibrations from the air, and change them into sound. So no, I think there probably would not be a sound, only the vibrations in the air.
And by the way, the microphone in a tape recorder acts just like an ear, so the tape recorder argument is not valid.
Whats strange is that this is not a philosophical question at all, but a scientific one.
2006-12-08 00:59:38 · answer #1 · answered by i hate hippies but love my Jesus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, you want me to weigh out the pros and cons, so that's what I'm gonna do. The pros of a tree falling in the forest is that you dont' have to chop it down, and there is more light that gets into the forest floor for plants down there.
The cons are that the tree could fall an injure an animal. Happy?
2006-12-08 00:58:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it makes a sound. The action of the tree falling will create sound waves that will spread out from the tree regardless of whether or not we are there to hear it. This foolish, old question serves to demonstrate the over-importance humans place upon themselves - as if actions can only exist with a human mind present to "actualize" them.
2006-12-08 00:58:39 · answer #3 · answered by texascrazyhorse 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's not a stupid question. THIS is a stupid question: If a fat girl falls in the forest, do the trees laugh?
Anyway, to answer your question, think of it this way. If you left a tape recorder in the forest when a tree fell, you'd capture a sound, right? Even if nobody was there to hear it.
2006-12-08 00:56:42 · answer #4 · answered by jesuspimper 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There have been many long debates about this but no! When a tree falls it sends vibrations through the air, not sound. The "sound" is created when the vibrations are percieved as sound at the ears, therefor if no ear perceives a sound, it was never really a sound at all.
2006-12-08 00:56:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If there are squirrels in the tree, do they not die? If a bear was under the tree, does it not get crushed? If these physical principles apply, then sound must also have been created. what your teacher is trying to get at is the subjective quality of this world. is human perception really REALITY? does reality only exist because we are here to experience it? philosophical questions like that ...first discussed by Greeks, like Plato and those dudes.
2006-12-08 00:59:21 · answer #6 · answered by ♪ ♫ ☮ NYbron ☮ ♪ ♫ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think about it: When trees fall, they normally make a sound. Just because no one is around to hear it fall, wouldn't it STILL make a sound? The problem, though, is that if no one is around, how could you verify that?
You "stupid" teacher obviously wants you to use your brain.
2006-12-08 01:03:53 · answer #7 · answered by clarity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The falling tree will make vibrations through the air whether someone is there or not, but can it really be considered sound if no one is there to hear it?
2006-12-08 00:57:44 · answer #8 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if a tree in the forest falls and you are there,does it make a sound, yes, if you are deaf! and if it falls and you are not there,you have to ask some one who was there to tell you if it made any sound.
2006-12-08 01:01:23 · answer #9 · answered by jbokande 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pros- if you cut down all the trees in the world, and you stood next to them and watched them fall all would make a sound what would make that one different?
cons- how do u know that it wouldnt make a sound? whats the proof that it makes a sound, whats the proof it wouldnt?
2006-12-08 00:58:20 · answer #10 · answered by Ashlie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋