If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Question

Umm, I hear this all the time. I think the answer is definitely yes--of course it makes a sound! But other people disagree. What do you think??

Answer 1

Well of course it make a sound even if there is no one around to hear it!

if you fell down the stairs now you will make a sound whether there is someone to hear you or not!

Answer 2

The scientific answer is that it makes shock waves. These waves, if picked up by an animal's hearing organs (ears) become "sound". If there is no animal around to "hear" it, then it produces only shock waves.

Remember, sound waves are shock waves that are interpreted by a listening device of some sort. If there’s nothing to interpret them, they are merely shock waves.

Think of knocking on the side of a pool. The measured sound is next to nothing from above the water, but under the water the sound is quite loud, because the shock waves behave differently under the water. Therefore, the amplitude of the “sound” is based on perspective. If there’s no listening device under the water, the shock waves travel and dissipate, never being heard, and therefore never being “sound” – they remain just shock waves.

Therefore – If a tree falls in the forest and there is nothing around to hear it, it does not make “sound”.

Answer 3

It is debatable. When the tree falls it creates vibrations in the air which only become sound when either an ear or something like a microphone recognizes these vibrations and makes them into what we call sound. If the question were - "Does it creates the same vibrations in the air as it would when no one is around" - then the answer is an absolute - YES.

Answer 4

When a tree falls in the woods does it make a noise? Yes. Screams of terror because it was cut down by Bruce Campbell's chainsaw.

Yes, of course it makes a sound. It's simple scientific principle.

Answer 5

In a science sense it makes the damn sound...but the guy who defined the word "Sound" didn't consider phyics...from
merriam-webster.com
"1 a : a particular auditory impression : TONE b : the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing c : mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (as air) and is the objective cause of hearing
"
And because a "sense of hearing" is required it doesn't make a "Sound".... It makes a Vibration....that nobody "heard".... Crazy I know... Upsets me too!

Answer 6

Well it was not the forest but a tree did fall in my yard and I heard nothing ,there was the sound of screaming squirrels they can be loud.

Answer 7

Yes every thing makes a sound just because you cant hear it dose not mean it is not there

Answer 8

Just because you aren't there, doesn't mean there's no sound. What if you weren't there, but you had a tape recorder going? It'd still make a sound. I swear to god, that's the dumbest riddle I've heard in my entire life. And if you seriously don't know the answer, you're obviously to stupid for anything and need to go back to school.

Answer 9

Sound is made of waves, so yes it still makes sound waves, but no one hears it (But the woodland creatures do). But answer me this...What is the sound of one hand clapping?

Answer 10

ya it makes a sound, just because no one heard it doesnt mean it didnt happen...if you were around to hear it happen then you know it makes a sound...if you werent around to hear it then you know it makes that same sound because you've been there when it has happened