On a creative search for mass of the (un)usual plastic ball

Abstract

One of the fundamental measurements conducted by students in physics lessons is the determination of mass of bodies. Students can encounter the weighing of different objects also outside the school. Therefore, we can meet with the opinion that measurement of weight is banal and boring. Based on the example of creative problem-solving we introduce unconventional method of determining the mass of small items - plastic balls used in toy guns. Making use of relations modelling the projectile motion we describe the three of several possible methods for determining the mass without the use of scales (and using the toy gun). In this article we also take a look at the link between the students' experimental activity and development of creativity.