If by “sound,” you mean vibrations in air pressure capable of being interpreted as sound, then yes, it does make a sound.
If by “sound,” you mean CRRRRRRRRASSSSSH!, then it doesn’t.
I was just reading through a discussion forum in which a disheartingly large majority of participants believed that it does make a sound, based on scientific arguments like — I’m paraphrasing here — “A falling tree doesn’t make a sound just for you, you self-important dumbass!”
I leave the following as exercises for the reader:
- If you blow a dog whistle, and no dog is there to hear it, does it make a sound?
- Since vision, like hearing, is mental interpretation of waveforms, if no one sees the forest, is it really there?
Try this simple science experiment:
1. Put on a blindfold and close your eyes.
2. Walk through a backwoods forest on a moonless night.
3. Repeat Step 2 three times.
4. Post your findings.
I don’t get it … why do I need to close my eyes if I’m blindfolded? Why does the night have to be moonless if I’m blindfolded? Why a “backwoods” forest? Since science experiments need a control, could you try this first? If the result is anything but “I walked into 3 trees” let me know.