If a tree fell in a forest, would it make a noise if no one were to hear it?

[TuesdayViolet]

A tree in a forest falls down, theres no one in the forest of nearby at all.
Does the tree make a sound?

Me and my boyfriend are arguing about this one.
I say it doesnt make a sound because the sound vibrations cant travel that far.
for example, music is playing. If you walk away it gets quieter until you cant hear anything.
If a bird was 10 miles away from that tree it would hear a thud, because of the vibrations
what pick up.

But he thinks that it would still make a noise..
but how could it if the vibrations have no where to travel?

[boxtops]

This was discussed at some length a few months back, have a look here http://www.theanswerb...4.html#answer-4455078

[Hopkirk]

If you left a tape recorder there it would record a sound, but at the time there would be no one there.

[dr b]

Define "a noise."

If "a noise" means "sound waves that are received by some receiver", then no.

If "a noise" means "sounds waves", then yes.

[cazzz1975]

the tree will make a sound whether you are there to hear it or not. just because you are not in earshot does not mean it doesnt make a sound

[sara3]

here's a non-scientific opinion.. of course it makes a noise!

if I leave my radio on all day and go to work, I'm pretty confident it will still be making a noise, even if no one is around to hear it.

[joeluke]

Of course it makes a noise

It's a bit like saying if a bomb dropped and no one was near enough to hear it

[cazzz1975]

if the tree falls on your head it will make a sound.

[joggerjayne]

I'm resisting mentioning Schroedinger's Cat.

[dr b]

Why, what would happen if Schroedinger's cat fell in a forest?

[Chaffinch]

Qi?

[johne1892]

Now there's a question Jayne....

...what if Schroedinger's Cat was in a tree that fell down etc....?

[seadogg]

How can you divorce the sound from the vibrations? Sound happens at certain frequencies some of which are audible to the human ear. I can bounce radio waves off the moon and they can be picked up by a suitable receiver. Are you telling me that the radio waves which go past the moon are any different from the ones that come back

[dr b]

The OED defines "sound" as:

The sensation produced in the organs of hearing when the surrounding air is set in vibration in such a way as to affect these; also, that which is or may be heard.

"That which is or MAY BE heard" would imply that the tree makes a sound even if no one's there to hear it.

[askyourgran]

If Schroedinger's cat was in the tree, in it's box I think the cat would be dead before the tree hit the ground with a thuudd and a whooosh. Because there never any holes in the cat's box.

[joeluke]

if the tree fell on the cat I'm sure the moggie would make a sound

[dr b]

Like, "meow, splat"?

[marval]

It would still make a sound, but just nobody would hear it. Just because there is no-one around does not mean there would be no sound.

[TuesdayViolet]

Good answers..

still confused thought, i believe it wouldnt because theres no where for the sound to pick up. If not one ear was nearby. But if it was heard from fair the thud would be heard but the branches falling wouldnt?

[TuesdayViolet]

from a far* sorry.