The sand at Zane's feet appeared coarse, and he could see the individual grains of sand. However, the sand down the beach appeared to be much finer and less granular. From which depth cue might this apparent difference in the sand have partially resulted?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The apparent difference in the sand's texture may have partially resulted from the texture gradient depth cue. Texture gradient refers to the perception that objects closer to us have a coarser and more distinct texture, while objects farther from us have a smoother and less distinct texture. In this case, the sand at Zane's feet appears coarser because it is closer, while the sand farther down the beach appears smoother and less granular because it is farther away. The other depth cues (relative size, interposition, and light and shadow) do not specifically account for differences in texture.

The Sand at Zane's Feet Appeared Coarse, and He Could