Which term describes the straight-line distance through the center of an object?

The term that describes the straight-line distance through the center of an object is diameter. In geometry, the diameter is specifically defined as the longest chord of a circle, which connects two points on the circumference and passes through the center. This measurement is crucial in many areas of study, including forestry and environmental science, as it helps assess the size and health of tree trunks, which can influence factors like growth rates and wood volume.

In contrast, length typically refers to the measurement from one end of an object to the other along its longest side, while width usually describes the shorter measurement across the object. Radius, on the other hand, refers to half the diameter, representing the distance from the center of a circle to any point on its circumference. Understanding these terms is significant when analyzing shapes and sizes in forestry applications.