• Question: If a tree falls, and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?

    Asked by ellaella to Cat, Daz, Holly, Johnson, Pamela on 17 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Pamela Lithgow

      Pamela Lithgow answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hi ellaella,
      An interesting philosophical question. I am going to say yes. When the tree falls it will displace air which will cause waves in the air which we percieve as sound. Although no one is there to hear it those waves are still made they are just not percieved by anyone.
      I hope that helps, please comment if you want to have any more philosophical chats!
      Pam 🙂

    • Photo: Cat O'Connor

      Cat O'Connor answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      Hi Ellaella,

      I’m going to say yes too! The tree, as an example, is not making the sound for our benefit (though it can be pretty useful!!) and the sound is just the result of branches hitting off other branches and the snapping of timber before it hits the ground with a thud.

      I’ve just realised i’ve given a very ‘sciency’ answer…where has my imagination gone?? 😀

      Cat

    • Photo: Darren Braddick

      Darren Braddick answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      Hi ellaella

      Absolutely it must! The question is, does that sound matter? Some things in the world happen which we have no knowledge of – from trees falling in very isolated places, to extinction of species we didn’t even know existed.

      The sound, or shall we say, the effect of any actions (like the tree falling) in our world always generates a transfer of energy – for example the tree has potential energy in its standing position, and its falling generates sound energy. Thus any effect from any item, object or animal will always make the sound – it only matters who or who does not hear it…

      I hope that helps!

      Daz

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