向心力 (xiàng xīn lì) — centripetal force

Definition

The physics term for centripetal force — the inward force that keeps an object moving in a circle (e.g. the sun's gravity on the Earth).

noun

centripetal force

，向心力。
Zài wù lǐ kè shàng, lǎo shī jiǎng le xiàng xīn lì de gài niàn.
In physics class, the teacher explained the concept of centripetal force.
，向心力。
Qì chē zhuǎn wān shí, lún tāi yǔ dì miàn de mó cā lì tí gōng le xiàng xīn lì.
When a car turns, the friction between the tires and the ground provides centripetal force.
向心力。
Dì qiú rào tài yáng yùn dòng de xiàng xīn lì lái zì wàn yǒu yǐn lì.
The centripetal force for the Earth's motion around the sun comes from gravity.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

向心toward the center

动宾Verb + object

向心 points toward the center and 力 is force, so it is the force pulling toward the center.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

向 originally drew 宀 (house) with 口 to show an echo in a place; later it was used for direction.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 心 comes from a drawing of a heart, now highly stylized.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

力 is drawn as either an arm bending out from the side of the body or a wooden plough.