well i guess its yes but if no one is there to hear it the sound wave would have never existed in time therefore making no sound??
2007-10-20 08:00:44 · 7 answers · asked by pokefreak 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
According to acoustic theory, sound is air vibration, regardless of whether it's heard or not. The real point of such a question is do theories in general have any meaning beyond their ability to make predictions about what is actually observed. This, by definition, cannot be answered *by* observations, so the question is metaphysical in nature. Meta means "beyond". In other words, this is the wrong forum.
2007-10-20 08:23:13 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, things exist whether we or anyone else is around to witness them. Planets and stars that are billions of light years away exist now, even though we can't see them and won't be able to for the billions of years it takes light to get here. There is an objective reality, and the fact that sound waves exist when a proper disturbance in a medium (eg, air) is created is not dependent on something observing it.
2007-10-20 15:09:59 · answer #2 · answered by theseeker4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sound waves don't exist because someone is there to hear it, so it doesn't make sense to say it wouldn't be because nobody was there to hear it.
This question shows up a problem with our definitions. A soundwave is basically a pressure wave in the air, but also our perception of that pressure wave. To say it caused a pressure wave seems like an unnecessary distraction.
2007-10-20 15:23:00 · answer #3 · answered by Leviathan 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sound is vibrations that our ears translate. Yes, the tree would create those vibration/sound waves. If there is nothing to translate those vibrations/sound waves, it simply dies away. So, I guess the tree would make a sound.
2007-10-20 15:09:48 · answer #4 · answered by ♪♫Piano Lover♫♪ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that when we hear, soundwaves vibrate off/inside our ears and eardrums, thus creating sound...
Hope this helps!
2007-10-20 15:08:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The literal answer is yes.
The metaphorical is no.
2007-10-20 15:07:48 · answer #6 · answered by Phil 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU. YOU'VE ANSWERED THE QUESTION YOURSELF. I DON'T THINK THERE CAN BE A BETTER ANSWER............. UNLESS...........THERE'S A SMARTER PHYSICIST AROUND
2007-10-20 15:10:36 · answer #7 · answered by BILL 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋