Dominoes are a great way to pass the time, but you can also use them to build structures that are both decorative and functional. They can be set up in straight or curved lines to form beautiful patterns, and they can be used to create games that are competitive or cooperative. You can even make them into 3-D shapes to add a unique touch to your home decor. There are endless possibilities when it comes to domino, so whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s something for everyone.
The word domino is a Latin word meaning “fall” or “topple.” It can refer to a person or thing that has an impact on others, especially in a positive way. It can also be used to describe a chain reaction of events that leads to greater–and sometimes catastrophic–consequences. This concept is often referred to as the “domino effect.”
A domino is a small rectangular block with a face that is blank or marked with one to six pips or dots. There are usually 28 such pieces in a complete set of dominoes. They are most commonly used to play positional games in which each player places a domino edge to edge against another in such a way that the adjacent faces are either identical (e.g., 5 to 5) or form some specified total (e.g., 21).
Despite their diminutive size, dominoes are full of potential energy. When standing upright, each one is lifted against the force of gravity, storing energy in its position. When it falls, most of that energy is converted to kinetic energy, which causes the next domino to tip and so on. This is what creates the domino effect, a chain reaction that leads to all of the other dominoes falling over.
When playing domino, it’s important to play on a hard surface so that the tiles stand up properly. It’s also helpful to have a pen or marker handy so that you can mark the end of a row as you complete it. This will help you keep track of your progress and the score.
Lily Hevesh has been a fan of dominoes since she was 9. When she started collecting them, her grandparents gave her their classic 28-pack. At first, she simply enjoyed setting them up in a straight or curved line and flicking the first one over to watch the entire set fall. But now, Hevesh, 20, has turned her hobby into a successful career as a domino artist. She has more than 2 million YouTube subscribers and creates spectacular domino setups for movies, TV shows, and events.
The physics behind the domino effect is quite simple, according to Stephen Morris, a physicist at the University of Toronto. When a domino is stood up, it stores potential energy. As it’s tipped over, the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy that causes the next domino to fall. He believes this same principle applies to human decision making. When people make a commitment, they’re more likely to follow through on it because they see it as part of their identity.