---
key: mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05
type: mechanic
id: phone-magnetometer--family-05
lang: en
title: Vector and polarity
summary: >-
Field components can define direction or distinguish magnet positions.
Comparing signs requires a consistent phone coordinate frame.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05/'
jsonUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05.json
markdownUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05.md
aliases: []
tags:
- Phone magnetometer interactions
- Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
- source-603978442e60360e
sources:
- id: source-603978442e60360e
title: Physics Toolbox Magnetometer
url: >-
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4
verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
- catalogId: phone-magnetometer
id: family-05
title: Phone magnetometer interactions
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/phone-magnetometer/#family-05'
categoryIds:
- section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
preview:
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
title: Vector and polarity
description: >-
Field components can define direction or distinguish magnet positions.
Comparing signs requires a consistent phone coordinate frame.
image:
src: images/mechanics/sensor-physics-magnet-0.webp
width: 665
height: 1440
crop:
x: 51
'y': 323
width: 563
height: 1034
game: Physics Toolbox Magnetometer
sourceUrl: >-
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4
originalUrl: >-
https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource221/v4/0f/3d/af/0f3daf9c-4f2c-17c7-83d3-c4ae62057601/01-magnetometer.png/720x1560bb.jpg
credit: Chrystian Vieyra
rights: >-
© Chrystian Vieyra. Developer-distributed App Store screenshot. All
rights reserved; excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
caption: 'Physics Toolbox: three field components and total magnitude over time'
alt: 'Physics Toolbox: three field components and total magnitude over time'
markers:
- x: 50
'y': 67
label: Curves show measurements changing over time
tips:
- Subtract the background field and keep phone orientation fixed.
examples:
- title: Physics Toolbox Magnetometer
url: >-
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/phone-magnetometer
---
# Vector and polarity
id: phone-magnetometer--family-05
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05/
Field components can define direction or distinguish magnet positions. Comparing signs requires a consistent phone coordinate frame.
## At a glance
[Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4) · © Chrystian Vieyra. Developer-distributed App Store screenshot. All rights reserved; excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
1. Curves show measurements changing over time
- Subtract the background field and keep phone orientation fixed.
- [Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4)
## How it works
The field vector components and polarity changes differentiate the states of the magnet in the prepared geometry.
## Variants
### Variants and applications
- Two polarities. Action: Turn over a known magnet in one socket; two patterns give two commands. Application: Light and dark, heating and cooling, two sides of the key. Limitations: The axis sign itself does not determine the north pole at any position. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method.
- Three states of polarity. Action: Distinguish between the absence of a magnet and its two orientations in the socket. Application: Three-position switch, plus/zero/minus, logic gate. Limitations: Store three templates for a specific magnet and seat. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method.
- Selection by leading axis. Action: In limited positions, distinguish which component of the field change predominates. Application: Three types of influence, switching axes, physical classification. Limitations: Does not promise recognition of arbitrary sides of the phone without training. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method.
- Vector pattern matching. Action: To achieve the coincidence of the normalized direction and magnitude of the field with the sample. Application: Magnetic lock signature, configuration restoration, laboratory riddle. Limitations: Different configurations can give similar measurements at one point. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Game rule.
- Rotation of a magnet on an axis. Action: Rotate a magnet with a fixed center and axis; templates set the angle. Application: Adjustment knob, turn the key, control wheel. Limitations: A mechanism and a choice of axis that gives a discernible change in the field are needed. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method.
- The cursor is on a given plane. Action: Move one magnet along a calibrated surface with a fixed orientation. Application: Cursor, labyrinth, control of a chip next to the screen. Limitations: Accuracy and unambiguity depend on geometry; This is not free 3D tracking. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Input method.
- Spatial magnetic zones. Action: Train several positions of the magnet near the phone and recognize the selected zone. Application: Off-screen menu, inventory pockets, element selection by gesture. Limitations: Start with a small number of clearly distinguishable zones and the “not sure” state. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Input method.
- Balance of two sources. Action: Move the magnet on the guide relative to the stationary source, achieving the target total field. Application: Balance of forces, adjusting the compensator, physical puzzle. Limitations: The sensor sees the sum of the deposits; separate positions of two magnets are not restored. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Game rule.
## Context and limits
Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations.
## Connected materials
## Sources and provenance
Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.
- [Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4) (id: source-603978442e60360e)
CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors