Final answer:
The key components that enable users to see and hear in a virtual reality system are the VR headset with a display and audio output, simulating 3D environments. This technology intersects with our visual and auditory systems' ability to perceive depth and locate sound and is designed to be inclusive for users with interaction constraints.
Step-by-step explanation:
The components of a virtual reality system that enable users to see and hear the virtual world are primarily the VR headset, which includes a display and audio output. These devices create a virtual image that the user can see, mimicking the experience of three dimensions just like in the real world, thanks to a complex system of lenses and display technology. Similarly, to perceive spatial audio cues, VR systems use headphones that can simulate 3D audio environments, helping the user to localize sound as they would in physical space.
Understanding how our visual system constructs mental representations of the world is crucial to the design of virtual reality, which aims to mimic these perceptions. VR leverages our ability to perceive depth and color and our auditory system's use of monaural and binaural cues for sound localization.
In contrast to the 3D glasses used in cinemas, VR provides a more immersive experience by allowing users to interact with and navigate the virtual environment, as opposed to passively viewing a flat screen with an illusion of depth. Moreover, simulations, such as PhET Explorations, have demonstrated the possibility of visualizing and interacting with sound waves, indicating the potential for multimodal interaction within virtual environments.
VR technology also considers interaction constraints for different users. For example, it can provide alternative forms of content consumption to those with visual impairments, ensuring inclusivity in the digital world.