Your companion on a train ride through Illinois notices that telephone poles near the tracks are passing by very quickly, while telephone poles in the distance are passing by much more slowly. This is an example of _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observation of nearby objects appearing to move more quickly than objects in the distance is an example of motion parallax, which is the perceived difference in motion between nearby and farther objects. This effect can be seen on a train ride, where objects close to the tracks appear to move quickly, while objects in the distance appear to move more slowly. Accommodation refers to the process by which the lens of the eye changes shape to focus on objects at different distances. Speed perception and speed constancy are related to the perception of motion and the ability to perceive objects as moving at a consistent speed. Neither of these concepts describes the phenomenon observed on the train ride in Illinois.

Your Companion on a Train Ride Through Illinois Notices That