Domino is a term used to describe a chain reaction or a sequence of events that leads to greater-than-expected consequences. The word is also an architectural term used to refer to a set of overlapping squares. It’s the same as the eponymous game, and it’s also used in physics to describe the physical phenomena of an object falling on top of another.
Stacking dominoes on end in long lines is a popular pastime for many people, especially children. The fun comes from watching the first domino tip over, triggering the next one to fall and so on. Creating a complex pattern with dominoes is often called domino art, and it’s possible to make curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, and 3D structures like towers and pyramids.
There are several different types of domino games, from simple block-building to skill-based games where players attempt to get their pieces in a certain order. Most of these games use a standard set of 28 small oblong pieces marked with 0-6 pips on each end. Each domino can only be matched with another in a specific way, and a player must place a piece on the table so that its edge matches either the end of a line of tiles already played or the number corresponding to a particular tile in the opposite end of the same line.
The game is usually played by two or more people. Most sets contain a total of 56 tiles, but larger extended versions exist that increase the maximum number of ends with pips from 12 to 55. In the most common game, players take turns placing a domino on the table, positioning it so that its numbered side matches the value of a tile at either end of the line already established by previous players.
Dominoes have been around for more than 200 years, and the game has since spread to many countries worldwide. It’s even become an international sport. The World Dominoes Championship, held every year since 1995, features teams from all over the world competing to see who can create the longest domino chain.
A physicist at the University of Toronto points out that while a domino standing upright has potential energy, or stored energy based on its position, when it falls much of this energy is converted into kinetic energy, or the energy of motion. That’s what causes the domino effect, he says, and why the resulting fall of each successive domino leads to more and more of them being tipped over.
A Domino Effect is a great reminder to always think about the impact of your actions and choices before you put them into practice. This principle can apply to any part of your life, including writing a novel. Whether you write off the cuff or follow a detailed outline, it’s important to consider how each action you take will affect the outcome of your story. Using the Domino Effect will help you craft an intriguing, compelling plot that draws readers in and keeps them hooked until the very end.