If a tree falls in a forest and nobody is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

The question about whether a tree makes a sound when it falls in a forest with no one around to hear it delves into philosophical discussions about perception and reality. The correct answer, which states that the tree does make a sound, is grounded in the understanding that sound is a physical phenomenon that occurs regardless of observation. When a tree falls, it creates vibrations in the air; these vibrations are what define sound as a physical event.

Sound exists as a series of pressure waves traveling through a medium (such as air). Thus, even if no human is present to perceive it or interpret those vibrations, the objective occurrence of the sound waves still takes place. This answer reflects a more scientific interpretation of sound: it is not dependent on an observer for its existence; rather, it is a natural outcome of the events that unfold when the tree falls.

In contrast, the other options imply varying degrees of subjectivity regarding sound that tie its existence closely to human perception or interpretation, which diverts from the definition of sound as an objective phenomenon. Therefore, affirming that the tree makes a sound aligns with the understanding that events in the natural world occur independently of whether they are perceived.