Dominoes are small, flat, rectangular blocks used to play a game. They are usually arranged side by side, but they can also be stacked vertically. The tops of dominoes are marked with a pattern of spots or ridges. The bottoms are blank or patterned identically to the tops. Dominoes have many nicknames, including bones, tiles, spinners, cards, or stones.
A small nudge can cause a line of dominoes to fall in a rhythmic, repetitive motion. This is known as the Domino Effect. The domino effect is a metaphor for any chain reaction that results from one event influencing another.
In this way, the concept of dominoes is a great tool for learning about physics, chemistry, and other subjects. Domino is also a fun activity to do with children!
When Hevesh creates her mind-blowing domino setups, she follows a version of the engineering-design process. She first considers the theme or purpose of the installation. Then, she brainstorms images or words that might be associated with it. Finally, she begins planning the structure. To ensure that her design works, Hevesh builds test versions before she puts it all together.
Hevesh carefully plans each piece of her domino displays to be as stable as possible. To do this, she creates 3D models of each section. She tests them using a slow-motion video to make sure that each part is ready before she puts it all together. Hevesh then adds flat arrangements and lines of dominoes that connect all the sections.
The domino effect is a powerful phenomenon, but it’s not always easy to predict. Hevesh is able to create some of her most stunning creations because she knows how to harness this power. For example, she uses friction to help the dominoes stay in place while they are falling.
As the first domino falls, its potential energy converts to kinetic energy (energy of motion). This energy is transferred to the next domino and provides the push it needs to fall. The process continues, with each domino transferring its energy to the one it touches. The process can be as simple or complex as Hevesh’s designs, depending on the number and size of the dominoes.
In the 1970s, Richard Nixon justified the United States’ intervention in Chile and Cuba by arguing that communist influence would spread to neighboring countries, leading to a “red sandwich” that could entrap Latin America. This argument is sometimes referred to as the Domino Theory.
When writing a story, we often think of our scenes as dominoes. We may plan each scene individually and try to ensure that they are connected in a logical way, but in the end, our novels come down to one key question: What happens next? Understanding how to use the Domino Effect in fiction will allow us to write more compelling stories.