Original figure description: A fallen tree lies on the ground in a forest.
This tree fell some time ago. When it fell, particles in the air were disturbed by the energy of the tree hitting the ground. This disturbance of matter, which our ears have evolved to detect, is called sound. (B.A. Bowen Photography)
If a tree falls in a forest (see Figure_14_00_Tree) and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? The answer to this old philosophical question depends on how you define sound. If sound only exists when someone is around to perceive it, then the falling tree produced no sound. However, in physics, we know that colliding objects can disturb the air, water or other matter surrounding them. As a result of the collision, the surrounding particles of matter began vibrating in a wave-like fashion. This is a sound wave. Consequently, if a tree collided with another object in space, no one would hear it, because no sound would be produced. This is because, in space, there is no air, water or other matter to be disturbed and produce sound waves. In this chapter, we’ll learn more about the wave properties of sound, and explore hearing, as well as some special uses for sound.
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