Physics fun

[bonanova 81]

My freshman physics prof drew these on the board one morning.

He asked, if the thing on the left is a centimeter, what is the thing on the right?

Your turn (spoilers please.)

[plainglazed 67]

Not Rats

Spoiler

 Urgh.  I mean Erg.  Ha ha.  That's a good one bn.   

 

[rocdocmac 8]

Spoiler

Exameter?

 

[plainglazed 67]

Spoiler

a dead bug

Spoiler

distant relative

Spoiler

diameter

Spoiler

wentameter - or beentameter

Spoiler

Schrodinger's Cat

 

[rocdocmac 8]

Spoiler

Kick-O-Meter? Legs are still moving!

(I really like Plainglaized's diameter!)

 

Spoiler

In the Afrikaans language a bug is called a tor. The bug on the right therefore looks like a faktor (English = factor). But in an abstract sense! Not being rude in any way!

 

[rocdocmac 8]

 

Spoiler

... the "a" in faktor sounds like "u" as in stuff and the "o" as in or.

 

[bonanova 81]

 plainglazed is closest so far (but I can’t say which of his guesses). Remember it’s a physics question. 

[rocdocmac 8]

Maybe far out, but still something to consider ...

Spoiler

"Centimeter" has an anagram: REMITTENCE.

Using this word in the sense of "temporary abatement without actual cessation" (to abate meaning "to cause to cease"). The picture on the right indicates that the bug appears dead, but the legs are still moving! So only temporarily declined/subsided/dead.

 

[rocdocmac 8]

Four feet in the air ...

Spoiler

Tetrameter (four metrical feet in poetry)? But not dimeter (two metrical feet)

 

Spoiler

Pedometer?

 

[bonanova 81]

OK a clue ( and it was plainglazed third answer that's close )

Spoiler

it has to do with death or, more precisely, near death.

 

[Molly Mae 103]

voltmeter?  shockmeter?  decimeter/decimator?  Probably that one.

[bonanova 81]

Final clue

Spoiler

Answer has three letters

Repeating an earlier comment,

Spoiler

plainglazed's third guess is like a phonetic clue.

 

[Wilson 14]

Lytic.?....

Spoiler

Parameter?

 

[plainglazed 67]

had thought perhaps

Spoiler

kilometer - since also measure of distance but not fitting the clues

then perhaps

Spoiler

dyne - assume from some unknown force but now one too many letters.  or the bug's obvious lack of energy could be the result of a foot pound.

rats, still thinking

[rocdocmac 8]

Spoiler

lie

 

Edited February 14 by rocdocmac

[rocdocmac 8]

Spoiler

... or merely die

 

Edited February 14 by rocdocmac

[bonanova 81]

10 hours ago, plainglazed said:

had thought perhaps

  Reveal hidden contents

kilometer - since also measure of distance but not fitting the clues

then perhaps

  Reveal hidden contents

dyne - assume from some unknown force but now one too many letters.  or the bug's obvious lack of energy could be the result of a foot pound.

rats, still thinking

Sizzling. Now finish it. 

[rocdocmac 8]

Spoiler

hie (= go quickly)

 

[rocdocmac 8]

Spoiler

dud?