planoconvex

9.5

One side is flat and the other is curved, often used for lenses

adjective
/ˌplænəʊkənˈvɛks/

Specialized

: planoconvexo

A planoconvex lens is often used to focus light in optical instruments.

Examples

The glass was ground into a planoconvex shape to improve image clarity.
They designed a planoconvex lens for the microscope.
He studied the properties of planoconvex mirrors in physics class.
The lens is planoconvex.
A planoconvex lens is often used to focus light in optical instruments.
The glass was ground into a planoconvex shape to improve image clarity.
They designed a planoconvex lens for the microscope.

Synonyms

convex

vsplanoconvex

Specialized

1 5.8

A surface that curves outward like the outside of a ball

is the specific form with one flat face and one bulging face

How Convergent

biconvex

Specialized

8.6

converging lens

Specialized

5.0

planoconvex

Specialized

9.5

concave lens

Specialized

4.6

Surface Forms

planoconvex positive

Morphology

planoconvex = plane + convex (transparent) = plano + convex

The term is a direct combination of a flat element (plano/plane) and 'convex' describing one flat and one outwardly curved surface, so the meaning is predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The word planoconvex comes from the parts plano- meaning 'flat', like the English word 'plane' for a flat surface, and convex meaning 'curved outward'. So a planoconvex lens has one flat side and one side that bulges out, which is why the word describes lenses or objects with one flat and one rounded face.