量子力学 (liàng zǐ lì xué) — quantum mechanics

Definition

noun

quantum mechanics

量子力学。
Tā zhèng zài yán jiū liàng zǐ lì xué de jī běn yuán lǐ.
He is studying the basic principles of quantum mechanics.
量子力学。
liàng zǐ lì xué De chū xiàn chè dǐ gǎi biàn le wù lǐ xué.
The emergence of quantum mechanics completely changed physics.
量子力学。
Zhè mén kè jiè shào le liàng zǐ lì xué de jī chǔ gài niàn.
This course introduces the basic concepts of quantum mechanics.

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.

量子quantum

偏正Modifier + head

力学mechanics

偏正Modifier + head

量子 (quantum) and 力学 (mechanics) name the physics of quanta.

Characters in this word

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

量 has 日 (sun) over 東 (bag; east). Some explanations suggest measuring under the sun or the sun rising in the east, but the exact origin is unclear.

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

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

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.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 學; 学 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 學 may have used 爻 and 六 for sound, with hands and a child added later; the simplified 学 is a shorthand.

Appears in