Dominoes are a classic toy that kids and adults alike love to line up and knock over. But what many people don’t know is that these little black and white rectangles are more than just a fun way to waste time. They’re a powerful tool for understanding physical concepts such as gravity, momentum and energy.
A domino is any one of 28 pieces that make up a set of dominoes. They are normally twice as long as they are wide, which makes them easier to re-stack after use. Each domino has markings on both ends, called pips, which indicate its value. A domino with more pips has higher value, while a domino with fewer pips is “blank” or has no value at all.
Each domino can be “played” by placing it on top of another, thus triggering an effect called the domino effect. As the first domino falls, much of its potential energy converts to kinetic energy, or the energy of motion (see Converting Energy). This energy is transferred to the next domino, providing the push it needs to fall over as well. The energy continues traveling from domino to domino, until the last one falls, causing an effect known as a chain reaction.
In a game of dominoes, each player draws a number of bones. Players take turns playing a domino from their hand. The domino must match one of the open ends of the layouts already played. This process is sometimes referred to as setting, leading, or downing the bone.
When you’re building a set of dominoes, it helps to have an idea of how you want the sequence to unfold. This can help you plan out your track and calculate how many dominoes are needed for your design. The best builders are able to visualize their track and the dominoes they’ll need for their design before starting the build. Then they’re able to create something that really impresses everyone at the domino show.
Dominoes are also a good tool for teaching children about cause and effect. By arranging dominoes in an ordered pattern, children can learn about the importance of each action, and how each one leads to the next.
Some people even use dominoes to express their artistic skills, creating tracks for dominoes that create pictures when they fall. Others create complex domino art, such as curved lines, grids that form words or images, and even 3D structures such as towers and pyramids. If you’re looking for inspiration, watch the video below of a domino artist who is able to create mind-blowing designs. You can even try creating your own masterpiece by downloading the Domino Designer app. This free program allows you to lay out a design for your domino track and even draw arrows to show how the dominoes should fall.