Why Do Wheels Appear to Spin Backwards (at High Speeds)?

Why Do Wheels Appear to Spin Backwards (at High Speeds)?

Assessment

Interactive Video

Physics, Science, Chemistry

KG - University

Practice Problem

Hard

Created by

Wayground Content

FREE Resource

The video explains the wagon wheel effect, where wheels appear to spin backward at high speeds. This optical illusion is often seen in movies due to frame rates but also occurs in real life. Two theories explain this: one suggests our visual cortex processes images like a movie camera, while the other involves perceptual rivalry, where the brain interprets ambiguous scenes in multiple ways. The video concludes that the phenomenon is more complex than it seems.

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2 questions

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1.

OPEN ENDED QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

How does the frame rate of cameras contribute to the wagon wheel effect in movies?

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2.

OPEN ENDED QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

Discuss the concept of perceptual rivalry and how it relates to the perception of motion.

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