Domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block, the face of which is divided into halves, each half being blank or marked by dots resembling those on dice. Each domino is normally twice as long as it is wide and can be stacked on top of each other to form a chain. Dominoes (or dominoes) are used in a number of games, as well as being arranged in creative ways to produce impressive displays. Dominoes are also used in a variety of educational and scientific experiments to demonstrate physical principles, such as the law of gravity or the function of nerve cells.
In physics, a domino is a toppling block that sets in motion a series of other blocks. The first domino must be placed at a point on the ground that is not too far from the next one. Once the first domino falls, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, and the chain reaction that results causes all of the other dominoes to fall. The speed of this flow of energy is independent of the size of the triggering domino and is one-way, much like a nerve impulse that travels down a nerve cell to cause a neuron to fire.
The term Domino is also sometimes used to refer to a system of interrelated countries, such as those in the European Union, which may be said to have a domino effect, i.e., that if the government of any one country collapses due to internal pressure or external threats, it will likely trigger the collapse of other countries with similar political structures. The concept is a variant of the path dependency theory, which suggests that certain systems are locked into particular courses of action.
An example of a domino effect in writing is a scene in which a character does something immoral, for instance, murdering a stranger. This will set off a chain of events that will eventually lead to the hero losing all credibility as a protagonist. To write a convincing domino effect, authors must provide the reader with enough motivation and logic to justify the hero’s actions outside societal norms.
A domino show is a popular spectacle in which domino enthusiasts compete to build complex and imaginative domino formations before an audience of fans. These builders use a variety of tools, including a drill press, radial arm saw, scroll saw, belt sander and welder, to create incredibly detailed domino structures. The winner is awarded a prize for his or her incredible work. Often, the builder will film the entire process to share it with other enthusiasts. Some of these videos have gone viral and can garner millions of views online. A less-heralded type of domino show is the domino demonstration, in which a person builds a domino structure and then lines it up to fall with only a nudge from one side. Some of these displays are very elaborate and can take hours to complete.