If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it...

[trewq]

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? I want someone to answer and justify their answer correctly.

Someone posted this on facebook so I though I would post it up here. Here is my answer:

Yes because when the tree falls it produces vibrations in the air and through the ground. And as sound is defined as "Sound is a travelling wave which is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations." ~Wikipedia. So yes If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, it does make sound.

[loopyman]

How would you know if nobody has herd it?

[realchamp]

(11-17-2009, 08:31 PM)loopyman Wrote:  How would you know if nobody has herd it?

You could put a microphone in there and listen

[loopyman]

Then somebody has herd it.

[realchamp]

(11-17-2009, 08:57 PM)loopyman Wrote:  Then somebody has herd it.

Not at the time it felt, as you were recording You can analysis the tape to see if it contains data WITHOUT listning too it

[trewq]

(11-17-2009, 11:21 PM)realchamp Wrote:  

(11-17-2009, 08:57 PM)loopyman Wrote:  Then somebody has herd it.

Not at the time it felt, as you were recording You can analysis the tape to see if it contains data WITHOUT listning too it

But what about ambient noise...

[loopyman]

Oh gawd.