If no one is around and a tree falls does it make a noise?

This is essentially a question of definitions, i.e. how you define sound or noise.

Here are the two basic answers.

Yes

A noise is a sound and a sound is a set of vibrating molecules referred to as sound waves. If a tree falls in the forest and makes a sound, it makes molecular vibrations, or sound waves, whether any human ear drum is around to sense them or not. So yes, it makes a noise. A person hearing it is irrelevant to the being of the sound. A person hearing it is only relevant to human consciousness of the sound.

Another argument for this viewpoint is based on theology. God observes the entire universe.

No

If a tree falls, and no one is around to hear it, it does not make a noise by definition. What is noise? What is sound? One must make sure to look at this question not from such a skewed view point to realize that he or she is being misled. From an early stage in our lives, through modern science, it is FACT that sound waves are processed in our brains, thus if we are not near the sound it is just an assumption that it does make a noise.

Sound travels through our ears, into the canal, and into the brain to allow for it to be processed by the brain, allowing for us to differentiate due to experiences that yes, it is that particular noise. However, one would not know the sound to be that way if they cannot imagine the situation. Thus, a human being or another entity must be present to absorb the vibrations, waves, etc in order to process the information.

Some take this further and claim that the whole universe does not really exist until it is observed.

Yes! Common sense tells you that it makes a noise if you are there when a tree falls, and even if you aren't there, it still makes a noise whether or not anyone is around to hear it.

no. no ones around to hear anything

yes, because it is still a sound wave

Yes...once it hits the ground...it says...help i've fallen and can't get up....

The little squirles and birdies say yes

Nope :D Noise is simply vibration captured by the eardrum. So if there are no eardrums to catch the vibration then it vades....so nope

Yes, but the sound will not be heard by anyone because no one is there to hear it.

Yes, because somebody could be recording it. Nobody means no people.

of course although no human may here it but a squrril or deer or something will hear it... heck maybe the boogey man will here it??? who knows

Does it make noise when no one is around?? hmmmmm if no one is around, then how would you know when exactly the tree fell? if you can not find out when the tree fell when no one is around, then your question can not be answered at all

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