Domino Explained
Domino is a small rectangular block, either wooden or plastic, used as a gaming object. A domino has a line down the center that divides it visually into two squares, each marked with an arrangement of spots or “pips” like those on dice. Most sets of dominoes consist of 28 tiles, although larger sets are sometimes played. The pips on each end of a domino are sometimes called its rank, and a tile with more pips is said to be heavier than one with fewer pips.
When a domino is toppled, it triggers a chain reaction that continues until all the remaining pieces are falling. The energy that is released when a domino falls transfers to the other dominoes through friction, which is a form of potential energy. This energy is converted into kinetic energy as the dominoes move, which is transmitted to the next domino until it is pushed over. Then, the energy is transferred to the next domino, and so on.
Dominoes can be used to make elaborate, geometric patterns, and they are often paired in a game of chance or skill, such as the popular Monopoly. Creating these structures requires a great deal of skill, as the dominoes must be positioned just so that their ends touch with little or no gap and they are placed at perfect 90-degree angles to each other. When done correctly, a chain of dominoes can form an impressive display that is sure to impress your guests and friends.
The physical process of dominoes falling also provides a model for explaining how nerve impulses travel in the human body, known as neural networks. Specifically, Domino is useful for understanding the role of the first domino in the propagation of an electrical pulse through a neural network. When a nerve cell is stimulated, it releases a chemical that creates an electric current. This pulse is then reflected off the cell membrane into the next cell, where it can trigger a domino-like chain reaction.
The initial domino must release enough kinetic energy to push over the next one and then continue transmitting this energy down the chain until all of the cells are stimulated. This allows the neurons in a neuronal network to communicate with each other, and it is the basis for the human brain’s ability to think and remember.
In fiction, dominos represent scenes in a story. Each scene domino, which could be a person, animal, or object, plays a small part in the overall plot of the story. In nonfiction, they might be ideas or events that advance a point or argument. The important thing is that every domino in the story contributes something to the whole. Without all the scene dominos working together, the story would fail to progress. With the right domino effect, the story is able to build momentum and keep people engaged. This idea of the domino effect can be applied to virtually any writing genre.