The domino effect is an idea that any one action will trigger others in a similar manner. It’s a concept that is often used when describing things like accidents or disasters. However, it can also be applied to daily events and goals. For example, you may want to get in better shape, but if you don’t stick with your exercise program, it’s easy to fall off the wagon and start to slip backward. This is why it’s important to develop a plan and set small, realistic goals. This way, you can keep yourself motivated and maintain momentum.
Domino is a game played with a set of small rectangular wood or plastic blocks. Each piece has a face that is divided into two squares, each of which is marked by an arrangement of spots resembling those on dice. The name “domino” comes from the fact that when a single block is knocked over, it causes the other dominoes to move in response. Dominoes are usually arranged in a line, and each player takes turns adding a domino to the end of the line. The rules for each game vary, but the most common require a player to place a domino adjacent to an already-placed domino of the same kind. The dominoes may then be pushed together in a chain, or the player may choose to pass.
If you’ve ever watched a video of someone creating a huge and complex domino arrangement, you’ve probably seen the satisfying moment when all of the pieces finally fall into place. The entire process can take several nail-biting minutes, but the final result is beautiful and exciting.
One physical principle that makes it possible for domino artists to create such intricate arrangements is called inertia. Unless something pushes or pulls on them, dominoes stay right where they are standing. When a domino is tipped over, however, it releases kinetic energy in the form of heat and sound. That energy can then be used to push on the next domino, and so on.
Unlike the traditional wooden dominoes, some modern sets are made of synthetic materials such as polymers or acrylic resins. These types of sets are more durable and less likely to break than the traditional wood versions. They are also lighter and more colorful than the traditional versions. Some contemporary manufacturers even offer domino sets made of exotic materials such as silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or ebony.
The earliest known set of dominoes was developed in the 12th or 13th century. Since then, many different styles and materials have been used for the dominoes. The most popular are still the conventional wood, but some people prefer to use a more organic material. For example, some people enjoy using terra-cotta, glass, or ceramic clay dominoes.
A domino set is typically comprised of 28 tiles, although larger sets exist for some games. These are typically called extended sets because they have more than the standard 28-tile set. These sets can be enhanced by introducing dominoes with more than 28 pips on the ends. These additional pips allow for more combinations of ends and therefore more tiles in a set.