In general terms, a centreline is a real or imaginary line that passes through the centre of something, often dividing the object into two halves.
- In a wave diagram used to illustrate electromagnetic waves, a centreline may be used to show either:
- Point of intersection: This is the ideal centerline and represents the point where the electric and magnetic fields cross zero simultaneously. This point stays constant as the wave propagates.
- Halfway between crest and trough: This is a common but simpler representation used for ease of visualization. It doesn’t always coincide with the point of field intersection in certain wave types or when considering polarization.
Related diagrams
Each diagram below can be viewed on its own page with a full explanation.
