Rotation puzzle
Decide whether the two solids are the same object turned around, or mirror images.
Spatial rotationMental imagery3D
About 4 min12 measured + 6 practice
Noah
People really do turn the object in their head to solve this, which is why the answer takes longer the further it has to travel. That steady slowdown is the core measure of spatial rotation. For now you cannot turn anything — only your eyes and your head.
How it works
- Look at the left and right solids. The right one is either turned around, or a mirror image.
- Turn the right one in your head and try to lay it over the left. If it fits, choose “Same”; if no rotation can make it fit, choose “Mirror”.
- After 12 measured trials you get 6 practice trials where you can turn the solid with your own hand.
Accuracy comes first. We also measure how much slower you get as the angle grows — that is what shows the speed of turning things in your head.