Domino is a popular game of matching identical tiles or laying them on a flat surface in a row, then “knocking” them over by placing one tile on top of another. Some people play domino on computers, with a special software called Dominoes. Others use the tiles to make artistic designs, or as decorations for their homes or businesses. But even if you’ve never played a real game of domino, you might have noticed that some people are able to create spectacular, domino-like formations.
Dominoes are usually black and white rectangular pieces with a number showing on either end. A standard set has 28 pieces, but players may also use other pieces, such as squares or hearts, to increase the number of possible combinations of pips. Some domino sets are made from different materials, such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or ebony. These sets are often decorated with inlaid or painted pips. They can be used for games of skill and chance or for educational purposes, such as teaching basic arithmetic.
When a person knocks over one domino, it causes a chain reaction that can continue until the last domino has fallen. This is due to a physical phenomenon called the Domino Effect.
The Domino Effect is a principle that says when one behavior changes, it can cause a shift in related behaviors. For example, if someone starts exercising more regularly and eating healthier foods, they’re likely to reduce their time on the couch watching TV and mindlessly snacking. This is because the first change triggers a domino effect in their lifestyle, and they find that it’s easier to stick with the new habits than to go back to the old ones.
Lily Hevesh, an artist who specializes in domino installations, uses the Domino Effect when creating her works of art. She explains that when she builds a complex domino setup, she has to consider how the dominoes will fall and work together to achieve her desired result. Hevesh cites several physical phenomena that are key to her creations, but says the most important is gravity. Hevesh’s incredible domino projects take several nail-biting minutes to complete, but once the process begins, the results are awe-inspiring.
Physicist Stephen Morris agrees that gravity is the key to Hevesh’s impressive domino creations. He explains that when a domino is standing upright, it has potential energy because it’s lifted against the pull of gravity. But when the domino falls, this energy is converted to kinetic energy, which can be transferred to other dominoes and cause them to fall.
The domino effect is a helpful tool for writers, too. Whether you’re a pantser who composes your novel on the fly or use an outline tool such as Scrivener, thinking about how to use the Domino Effect in your story can help you plot a compelling story. By considering how a scene’s impact on the story ahead will ripple outward, you can ensure that your scenes are logical and lead to a satisfying conclusion.