If a tree falls in the middle of a forest and there's no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?

Answer 1

If no one was there to hear it, how do we know it fell?

Answer 2

One of these trees seems to fall here just about every week.

The laws of physics and chemistry will continue to operate whether someone is there to observe them or not. They do not depend on an observer.

So the tree that falls in the forest will make a sound whether someone is there to hear it or not. It will produce the vibrations that constitute a sound wave.

Answer 3

this old chestnu saying is a prime example of human arrogance - there are literally millions of creatures around to hear the tree falling: insects, mammals, reptiles and birds apart from all the other microfauna. doesnt have to be a stupud human - so yes, the tree does make a sound

Answer 4

According to Berkeley's Idealist philosophy, yes it would; why because the existence of anything is dependent upon its being perceived. Thus, for Berkeley, God hears the sound of the tree falling in the forest. Only a conscious being is capable of perception, but human beings aren't capable of perceiving every event.

Answer 5

Yes. Sound is a transverse wave transmitted through a medium, usually air but also other things including water.

What you'er really asking is:
"If an event is not observed what effect does it have on the world around it?"

To which I would answer:

'When a butterfly flaps its wings in China it causes rain in Auckland'

The effect is unknowable, it is untracable, unpredictable but none the less real.

So, "What effect does the sound of a tree falling in the forest have when there is no one to hear it?"

Well, we don't know but it definately does have one.

Jack

Answer 6

The correct answer is no. When the tree falls, it causes a vibration in the soundwaves. It needs a receiver to be heard, so if no one was there, there would be no sound.

Answer 7

When did you find a forest without any animals?

This question is so mossy that it won't be heard when it falls of the dead weight of boringness.

Answer 8

Yes. It makes the sound of one hand clapping.

Answer 9

Sound is just a vibration..it has to be picked up by the ears to be heard. No ears, no sounds.

Answer 10

If I'm at a party and My mother is too far away for me to hear her, is she still nagging?
Yes.

Answer 11

Is this even a question? But I guess if it does not make a sound, then we'll never know, will we? No one is there remember?