Final answer:
The degree of mental rotation is directly proportional to the time needed to complete that rotation, and when both eyes see an object moving in the same direction but at different rates, it suggests lateral movement across the field of vision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around mental rotation, a cognitive process where the brain visualizes objects moving in space. Answering the student's multi-part question, b is true as it is established in the field of psychology that people typically require more time to mentally rotate an object the greater the degree of rotation. When participants imagine objects rotating, the time it takes correlates with the angle of rotation, supporting the idea that mental rotation is analogous to physical rotation. Now, let's consider the situation where both eyes see an object moving in the same direction but at different rates. This scenario suggests a perception of lateral movement across the viewer's field of vision. Depending on the context and additional visual cues, this could inform the viewer about the object's trajectory or provide information about the spatial relationship between multiple objects. For instance, if you are watching a vehicle pass you on the road, your brain uses the speed differential as perceived by each eye to gauge the vehicle's speed relative to your own position.