Dominoes are small, thumb-sized rectangular blocks that each bear an arrangement of dots or pips similar to those on dice. The pips identify each domino as one of 28 possible values, which are used to determine the domino’s rank or weight (the heavier dominoes can be “stacked” to form walls). Dominoes may be played in a variety of ways. They can be used to set up lines and angular patterns, or to block other players’ play. Dominoes can also be arranged in 3D structures such as towers and pyramids. They can be glued together or set in place with the help of special bases, which allow them to stand upright without being held.
When Hevesh first designs her creations, she usually tests a single section of the layout in order to make sure it works as intended. Then, she moves on to putting the whole layout together. She starts with the bigger 3-D sections, then adds flat arrangements and finally the dominoes that connect each of these sections together into a coherent design. Hevesh has set a Guinness World Record for the most dominoes toppled in a single circular arrangement: 76,017. Her largest setups can take several nail-biting minutes to fall. But, once they do, Hevesh knows that physics is what’s really behind the effect.
Physicist Stephen Morris, who studies mechanical vibrations, agrees that gravity is crucial to the domino effect. He explains that when you place a domino upright, it has potential energy, which is stored based on its position. When you knock that domino over, much of this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which causes the next domino to tumble. This process continues until the entire chain of events has been completed.
When it comes to writing, the domino effect can be useful for plotting a story. The key is to figure out what happens next and then create a chain of events that supports your main goal. For example, if you want to sell a book, you can start by writing an outline of what you want the book to accomplish and then consider how each step could impact your goals. This can help you plan out your story and figure out what the best order is for completing each task.
Whether you’re playing a game of domino with friends or trying to build a massive piece of art, the same principles apply. To get started, it’s important to identify the most valuable tasks and rank them in order of importance. After ranking the tasks, you can focus on the most important ones and ensure that they receive your full attention until completion. This approach can help you achieve your goals and create a positive ripple effect in the process.