A tree falls in the forest

[Jazzy]

If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one around to hear it does it make a noise? (Please explain your answer).

 

[Jazzy]

No. In order to create a noise, you need something to hear it. A noise exists because an ear reacts to the waves that it created. The waves "shake" the ear which creates a noise. If there were no ear, the waves would just move around but wouldn't "hit" anything resulting in an absence of noise.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

No. In order to create a noise, you need something to hear it. A noise exists because an ear reacts to the waves that it created. The waves "shake" the ear which creates a noise. If there were no ear, the waves would just move around but wouldn't "hit" anything resulting in an absence of noise.

Interesting answer there. I suppose you are right but the sound waves were still produced, meaning something happened.

 

[Jazzy]

No. In order to create a noise, you need something to hear it. A noise exists because an ear reacts to the waves that it created. The waves "shake" the ear which creates a noise. If there were no ear, the waves would just move around but wouldn't "hit" anything resulting in an absence of noise.

Interesting answer there. I suppose you are right but the sound waves were still produced, meaning something happened.

Vibrations happened. If a tree falls, vibrations are caused, but if there's no one to hear them there is no actual noise.

 

[Evil Eye]

If we define noise as "loud sounds heard by people" then I suppose that's true.

 

[DrLeftover]

No. In order to create a noise, you need something to hear it. A noise exists because an ear reacts to the waves that it created. The waves "shake" the ear which creates a noise. If there were no ear, the waves would just move around but wouldn't "hit" anything resulting in an absence of noise.

By your own statement, unless this mysterious forest has NO animal life at all, then there would be some-THING there to hear it.

So our friend here could be saying to himself, "Hey, that sounded like a tree falling!"

 

[Bamboo]

Of course it does

 

[Bluezone777]

Sound is not dependent on others to hear it to exist. It is made regardless if there is anyone or anything to hear it.

 

[Martin]

In the English dictionary noise is defined as 'sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance'

So in effect I guess it is sort of a no because it is not an unpleasant noise if no one is there to hear it.

 

[Khalessi]