Dominoes are small, rectangular blocks that are often used in a variety of games. They are sometimes called bones, pieces, men, or cards and can be made of wood, plastic, or bone.
The idiom domino effect refers to a situation in which one trigger may start a cascade of events that lead to bigger and more significant consequences. It is often used to describe the effects of political conflict, but can also be applied to any situation in which a single event may set off an unanticipated chain reaction.
A Domino Show
A domino rally is a display of thousands of dominos, each of which is carefully laid out in a series of overlapping layers. Each domino is marked with pips, or spots, that represent different possible values for two six-sided dice.
When the first domino falls, it releases a tiny amount of energy, a kinetic force that is transmitted to the next domino. This force is due to the way gravity pulls a domino down.
Hevesh explains how she creates mind-blowing domino installations: “I have a basic engineering-design process in my head, which involves considering what I want to achieve with each installation. Then I brainstorm images or words that I might use to convey my message or theme.”
Once she has a design, Hevesh starts building the structure by placing the dominoes on the floor. Once the structure is complete, she sets up a series of lights and waits for the first domino to fall.
She then begins the process of toppling the dominoes, which can take a few minutes. Depending on the size of the display, it can take as long as several hours to topple all of the dominoes.
The most important part of a domino effect, Morris says, is gravity. Once a domino has been knocked over, it takes a tiny nudge to cause it to fall again.
But when the next domino is placed on top of the first, the resulting chain reaction is even more powerful. This is because the potential energy that was stored in the first domino has been converted to kinetic energy and has now started traveling to the next domino, causing it to tumble over.
This physics-based phenomenon is one of the main reasons why people love dominoes and why they can be so addictive. It’s also the reason why so many people enjoy watching domino rallies.
In addition to being fun, dominoes can be a great teaching tool about the laws of physics. They help students understand the importance of balance in life, which is a skill that will be useful for them in other aspects of their lives.
Using the domino effect in your writing
When you are plotting your novel, think about how the concept of the domino effect can help you create an effective storyline. This will help you write a more compelling story and have a better understanding of how to develop characters and their relationships.