This one has the added detail of nothing areound to hear it. This includes man all the way down to the smallest creature that can hear. Basically void of living and walking life, and obviously no recording devices. Just a tree and ground and nothing else.
2007-03-23 19:24:53 · 12 answers · asked by johnb1420 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Yep!!!
Tell ya this - sound is the' waves' in the air created by an object moving, falling, exploding, whatever.The 'waves' reach the 'hearing' mechanisms of living things such as humans. Thus, the 'sound' is heard if, for example a human is present(with hearing ability). Even if nothing is present, the 'sound' or 'sound waves' will be there regardless. These 'waves' travel through the air at the speed of (pun) sound, and eventually dissipate enough over distance to be virtually undetectable, at least to the human ear. These waves do continue on virtually 'ad infinitum'(forever) in theory. The actual 'friction' in the air it passes through will eventually 'stop' it, for the lack of a better expression! BUT, believe me, there is sound. NO "BOUT ADOUT IT". (LOL).
2007-03-23 19:41:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The entire reason that this question is sometimes asked in philosophy classes is to teach students that semantics matters. It is an exercise in learning to be specific. The "correct" answer to this question is...."It depends on if you mean sound or sound waves". Sound waves are vibrations in the air that would definately be produced by a falling tree. However, if the sound waves don't reach the ears of a creature with a brain that can interpret the sound waves as "sound" (or a recording device capable of doing the same), then it doesn't actually make a sound.
2007-03-24 05:49:10 · answer #2 · answered by Jennifer in CA 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay, here's a new pitch on an old question: If a person is thrown out of a plane, and hits the ground but no one is there to see it, will he still bounce up after impact? Just because a entity is not there to verify the outcome, it does not change certain laws of physics.
2007-03-27 18:46:16 · answer #3 · answered by sportsman72901 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Our eardrums would interpret the soundwaves given off by the falling tree and turn it into a sound if we were there; since there is not a thing there to do that, then it does not.
2007-03-24 03:33:53 · answer #4 · answered by lamb.chops 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, according to the dictionary, sound is "a particular auditory impression percieved by the sense of hearing". So, in response to the question, no, it wouldn't make a sound. It does, however, make a noise because there doesn't have to be anything around to make a noise!! ;O)
2007-03-24 02:32:33 · answer #5 · answered by buffman82me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a weird, nerdy answer: It makes sound waves but since no one is around to hear them, no actual sound is produced.
2007-03-24 02:29:22 · answer #6 · answered by dancemusicalsdance 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure, but if a tree DOES fall in the forest...do the bushes laugh?
2007-03-24 02:28:59 · answer #7 · answered by Erin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If no one can hear you breathing - are you dead?
If a tree is just standing there and with no wind is totally silent - is it dead?
This is just a silly mind game.
Have a nice day - you can hear yourself breathing cant you?
2007-03-24 06:42:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
what is the nature of sound???
if it is not perceived is it still a sound????
of course you XXXX .
vibration will still travel ,regardless of anybody or thing not being able to witness it.
so when lightning flashes and there's nobody or any thing to see it, did it happen?????
god bless,
gabe
2007-03-24 03:02:44 · answer #9 · answered by gabegm1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The soundwaves just don't travel far enough.
2007-03-24 02:32:27 · answer #10 · answered by AxMan_12 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋