When two objects overlap, which is further away?

When two objects overlap, which is further away?

• A. The overlapped object
• B. The object in front
• C. They are at the same distance
• D. Distance cannot be determined

Answer: (A)

Occlusion provides a clear depth cue: when two objects overlap, the one that is being covered is farther away, while the front object is closer. The object in front hides part of the other, signaling that it sits in front of it. If they were at the same distance, they wouldn’t occlude each other, and if distance couldn’t be determined, occlusion wouldn’t tell us which is farther. So the overlapped object is the one farther away.

Occlusion provides a clear depth cue: when two objects overlap, the one that is being covered is farther away, while the front object is closer. The object in front hides part of the other, signaling that it sits in front of it. If they were at the same distance, they wouldn’t occlude each other, and if distance couldn’t be determined, occlusion wouldn’t tell us which is farther. So the overlapped object is the one farther away.