If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

[devonin]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

Alright, then that means the tree DOES make a sound because the sound waves are received by everything around it.

Er...assuming there are things around that are equipped to recieve sound waves ie. things with say...inner ears.

[arelik]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

Do you agree with the above definition or not? It says that vibrations that travel through all forms of matter are sound. If you agree then the tree does make a sound. If you don't then we are using different definitions of sound, like Shashakiro said.

[slipstrike0159]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

Er...assuming there are things around that are equipped to recieve sound waves ie. things with say...inner ears.

Actually even other trees have the ability to "recieve", so to say, the sound waves. It has been known that sound waves do affect certain factors in a plants growth meaning that it has the ability to interpret or even feel the vibrations that come with the noise. So unless a tree is floating in non existence and falls onto cement that surrounds it, then the only practical answer is that yes sound is produced even if you take into consideration a receiver.

[devonin]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

Well, because it reacts to the pressure waves, that doesn't mean it is translating those pressure waves into sound waves. I imagine some kinetic energy is being produced to which things can show a reaction.

I mean, but even then..if the tree can act as a reciever for sound waves, then yes, a tree falling near it makes a sound. Nobody said the original question was supposed to say anything far-reaching about sound.

[ledwix]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

As said before, it depends on your definition of "sound." Personally, I think it's a little absurd not to consider the vibrations changing the air's density in a wave pattern a sound unless there is a receiver present.

If a tree falls, why does it stop? Energy caused by the fall is dissipated through heat and sound. There's going to be a certain amount of energy dissipated through heat and a certain amount through sound every time, regardless of who is watching. The tree won't automatically say, "Oh, since no one is around, I think I'll dissipate ALL of my kinetic energy into heat energy, rather than releasing any of it through transmission of a wave in the air. Screw sound this time around."

[ashleychauntel]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

I think that everyone got a bit too into this question. I mean, if you are around and the tree falls, it makes a sound. Therefore, in the event that you are not there it also has to make a sound - it's not like a tree knows whether or not anyone is around waiting for it to fall. Just because no one is there doesn't mean a sound isn't made - it just means you weren't around to hear it.


If anyone really wants to know - set a camera up and record where you think a tree is going to fall, then watch it and listen. If you thought there wasn't a sound, prepare to feel stupid.



Just my 2am thoughts on the deal...

[jewpinthethird]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

Obviously not.

Geez, don't you guys no anything. Soundwaves are produced by Jesus Magic...and Jesus only exists where there are people...so therefore no people = no Jesus:: no Jesus=no sound:: no people=no sound.

I use the Bible as my one and only source. And to prove the Bible's creditability I cite the Bible itself.

[jamuko]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

I like how we got this open to more discussion on the philosophical side, but then it just went right back to the literal.

And Ashley, a sound or video recorder is considered "someone around to hear it".

No one is arguing against the physics that tell us that of course a tree would make the same sound regardless of who is there... the debate has two sides, the philosophical one where we question reality, and the literal one where we basically just question what we consider to be "sound".

[g4z33b0]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

There is nothing critical about this "thinking". Yes it makes a sound.

[devonin]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

There is nothing critical about this "thinking". Yes it makes a sound.

Please refute the earlier logic that says that in order for "sound" to actually occur, you need a transmitter, a medium, and a reciever.

If anyone really wants to know - set a camera up and record where you think a tree is going to fall, then watch it and listen. If you thought there wasn't a sound, prepare to feel stupid.

Well, in this example you have a transmitter (the tree falling) a medium (the air) and a reciever (the sound pickups of the camera). Sounds to me like you meet all three requirements of sound. Remove the reciever and you don't anymore.

[g4z33b0]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

When a tree falls and you hear it, it makes a sound. Every time. Scientifically, it makes so sense to say that just because the sound isn't heard that a sound won't be made. Sure I can't refute those statements, but logically speaking it seems pretty obvious that a sound occurs.

[FyRe-AnT]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

The tree will make a sound, the atmosphere around it would support the sound, and yea there is a sound but it is meaningless because there is nothing around to care

[The Mirror Image]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

Yes, a tree that falls in a forest makes a sound.
Just like when a wind blows across the artic, one COULD hear it, but there is nobody around to hear it.

Now if that tree hits a mime, that's hilarious, and no, then it WON'T make a sound. (Thanks to Gary Larson)

[Lamoc]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

I say it doesn't. For something to be a sound, it has to be heard. If no one hears it, it can't be a sound.

[jamuko]

Re: If A Tree Falls Does It Make A Sound?

I like how people read the other posts.