The illusion of proportion in the explanation of the operation of temperature sensors

Abstract

In this work we examine the role played by the illusion of proportion as held by students of the Technical High Schools in the understanding of the operation of sensors in automatic circuits. It is observed that students who examine diagrams of electrical systems (in this case sensors) often come to false conclusions about their operation because of the illusion of proportion. Thus the students apply a linear correlation in all situations without exception, which meet certain informal “pre-supposition”.