Letter: Maybe we need to rip up the physics dictionary

From Alan Giles, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Matt Strassler is right regarding words used in physics that can mislead. Changing them might go a long way to clarifying things (21 September, p 32).

For example, instead of using a word like “particle”, give it a new name – “omet” – and then list the characteristics of omets. They are atomic or subatomic in size (although may become larger); they are three-dimensional; they are flexible and stretchable; they vibrate; they spin; they may have an electric charge. When knocked out from its position, an omet can flow through and around other things, such as slits in a grid. It can separate from and merge with others, both bigger and smaller. They can, at times, surround the nucleus of an atom or even be part of the nucleus of an atom.

If you need a picture in your mind to make this work, then think of an omet as a tiny vibrating, spinning smoke ball.