---
title: contactNormal
framework: scenekit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Property
path: scenekit/scnphysicscontact/contactnormal
---

# contactNormal

The normal vector at the contact point between the two physics bodies, in scene coordinates.

## Declaration

```swift
var contactNormal: SCNVector3 { get }
```

## Discussion

Discussion This vector tells you which direction the bodies were moving relative to one another at the time of the collision. For example, in a game you can examine this vector to have enemy characters take damage when struck from above by the player character but damage the player character instead when they collide side-to-side.

## See Also

### Inspecting the Contact Properties

- [nodeA](scenekit/scnphysicscontact/nodea.md)
- [nodeB](scenekit/scnphysicscontact/nodeb.md)
- [contactPoint](scenekit/scnphysicscontact/contactpoint.md)
- [collisionImpulse](scenekit/scnphysicscontact/collisionimpulse.md)
- [penetrationDistance](scenekit/scnphysicscontact/penetrationdistance.md)