Domino, also called dominoes, is a small rectangular block used as a gaming object and stacked on end in long lines to form games of chance. One end of the domino is marked with a number, usually Arabic numerals, while the other end is blank or marked with dots resembling those on dice. Dominos can be arranged in many different ways, including stacking them on top of each other or into intricate patterns to form shapes and designs. Many children like to play with dominoes as toys and can even create their own games using them.

The word “domino” is also used to describe a chain reaction or series of events, such as one event leading to another. This is referred to as the domino effect, which refers to an action or decision having a subsequent and sometimes dramatic effect on other events or people. The domino effect can also be applied to a business, such as a change in strategy that leads to a chain reaction of positive or negative results.

A domino is a small wooden or plastic block with numbers or other markings on it that are used in games of chance and for other purposes. It is used by two or more players who take turns playing a tile on the table, positioning it so that it touches one or both of the ends of a previous domino, thus triggering the other end to fall over, creating a domino chain. The first player to finish their domino chain wins the game.

There are a variety of domino games that can be played with a standard double-six set (56 tiles) or larger domino sets, such as a double-twelve set (91 tiles). Some of these games are adaptations of card games and were once popular in some regions to circumvent religious prohibitions against playing cards. Other games, such as the simple dominoes variant of Concentration, are played solely with a single double-six set.

Hevesh uses a process similar to an engineering-design method when she constructs her mind-blowing domino setups. She starts by considering the theme or purpose of the installation, then brainstorms images or words she might want to use. Next, she selects the dominoes, which are then assembled in a way that makes sense for the installation. Once the final design is completed, she checks it to make sure all the pieces work together.

The physics behind the domino effect is fairly straightforward. When a domino is standing upright, it has potential energy, or stored energy based on its position. When the domino falls, much of this energy is converted to kinetic energy, or the energy of motion, and some of that energy is transmitted to the next domino, causing it to fall over. This continues on down the line until the last domino has fallen, resulting in a chain reaction that can be quite impressive.

The most impressive domino effects are often created for public displays, such as when someone uses a large number of dominoes to create a sculpture or draw an elaborate picture on the ground. Such a display is typically done for fun and entertainment, but it can also be used to promote an event or product. During the demonstration, a video camera is usually present to capture the entire process.