A domino is a small, rectangular block with either a blank face or one bearing from one to six pips (dots): 28 such pieces form a complete set. A domino is used to play a variety of games, most of which involve scoring points or placing tiles edge to edge against each other in lines or angular patterns. Dominoes are also used as learning aids to teach counting and number recognition.

When a domino is knocked over, it causes other pieces to fall over in a chain reaction. The effect is sometimes called the Domino Effect, and it is used in experiments to demonstrate the principles of physics and chemistry. The most common domino sets are made of pressed wood or plastic, but there are some in unusual materials such as marble, granite or soapstone; metals; or ceramic clay. Natural-material domino sets are often more expensive than polymer ones, but they provide a more durable and visually appealing product.

The company Domino’s was founded in the mid-1980s by a pair of entrepreneurs who named their new business after the popular game of dominoes. The company’s success is attributed to its focus on core values, such as listening to customers and providing high quality food at an affordable price. The company’s former CEO, David Brandon, introduced several changes to the Domino’s culture, such as a relaxed dress code and new leadership training programs. When Doyle took over as CEO, he maintained these values and continued to listen to employees to understand what they wanted from the company.

Hevesh, a domino artist, creates complex displays that incorporate 3-D and flat arrangements of large sections of dominoes. To ensure that her work functions properly, she tests each section individually before putting it together. Using a camera to record the process, she can check for errors and make precise adjustments. The final display consists of many different sections, and Hevesh tests each one in slow motion to make sure that it works correctly.

While most of us know about the power of a single domino to knock over other objects, scientists are still learning exactly how and why the Domino Effect happens. In a 1983 experiment, University of British Columbia physicist Lorne Whitehead arranged 13 dominoes in a row and found that they could each knock over objects one-and-a-half times their size. This finding is important because it provides a scientific explanation for the Domino Effect, which can be applied to a wide range of situations. It can help scientists determine how much energy is needed to cause a sudden collapse, and it may be useful in designing buildings and structures. It could even be used to prevent earthquakes by allowing scientists to determine the ideal placement of anchor points. In addition, the domino effect can be used to design more efficient vehicles and systems for storing and transporting materials. This is a particularly useful application for shipping and logistics companies, who can use the Domino Effect to improve their efficiency.