A domino is a small flat block used as gaming pieces. Usually, dominoes feature one or more square faces, each bearing a number of dots called pips. The value of a single pips is equal to its rank (which can range from six to zero) or its weight (which is usually indicated by a color). Most domino sets are twice as long as they are wide, making it easier to stack them up after use. Dominoes may be stacked in two dimensions or three, and some have special features like arches that allow them to hold other pieces.
We’ve all seen domino constructions that cascade from one to the next in a rhythmic display of controlled power. These creations, called “domino art,” can be as simple or complex as a line of curved dominoes or a grid that forms pictures. More elaborate domino structures can include a 3-D tower or pyramid. The best ones are often the most elegant, with each piece positioned in just the right spot to trigger the next in a rhythmic sequence.
Dominos can be found in arcade games and on tabletop games. They can also be used to create artistic patterns, for educational purposes, and in science experiments and demonstrations. In fact, physics professor Lorne Whitehead has demonstrated that dominoes can knock over objects about one-and-a-half times their size.
In a domino effect, the first domino falls over because its potential energy converts to kinetic energy, the energy of motion. Then, that kinetic energy is transferred to the next domino, providing enough push to topple it. The process continues until all the dominoes have fallen.
The term domino also refers to a mathematical polygon of order 2. In this case, it is the shape formed by two equal-sized squares connected edge-to-edge.
When it comes to writing fiction, the domino effect is a useful metaphor. Whether you compose your manuscript off the cuff or take the time to carefully outline, plotting a novel comes down to answering one fundamental question: What happens next? Considering how to use the domino effect can help you write compelling scenes and create a story that readers will find satisfying.
If a character does something that runs counter to societal norms, you’ll need to provide enough logic to convince readers that the character’s actions are justified. Otherwise, the story fails to engage readers. To avoid this, writers should think about how to create domino scenes that make sense to the reader. A well-crafted domino effect can help readers understand why a character acts in the way that she does and why it will have a positive impact on the story’s overall arc. Ultimately, this will make the story more believable. For example, if a character shoots a stranger or has an affair, the writer will need to give the reader enough motive and reason to justify the action. A scene with a domino effect will demonstrate the character’s motivation and provide an explanation for why she is acting outside of social norms.