How does motion parallax contribute to our understanding of depth perception?

Motion parallax is a crucial depth perception cue that is based on the movement of the observer in relation to the objects in their environment. When an individual moves, objects that are closer to them appear to move across their visual field at a different speed compared to objects that are farther away. This difference in speed of movement provides important information about the relative distances of those objects.

For example, as you walk forward, nearby objects (like a tree) will shift position quickly in your field of vision, while distant objects (like mountains) will appear to move more slowly. This phenomenon helps create a three-dimensional understanding of our surroundings, allowing us to perceive depth effectively. Therefore, option C correctly identifies the role of motion parallax in depth perception by highlighting how the speed at which objects move across our field of view can inform us about their distance from us.