Dominoes are small flat blocks used for gaming. They can be arranged in straight lines or in more elaborate designs to make them look like 3-D structures such as towers and pyramids. The individual domino pieces are sometimes called bones, cards, men, tiles, or stones. They are normally twice as long as they are wide. Each domino has an identity-bearing face with an arrangement of spots, or pips, and a blank or identically patterned side. A pips value is indicated by a number that is placed in the center of the squares, and this value is also printed on each domino in most sets.

Each domino has potential energy, which is stored based on its upright position. When the domino is tilted, this potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, which causes the domino to fall. When it falls, the energy is transferred to other adjacent dominos, causing them to topple as well.

While many people enjoy playing games with dominoes, some people use them to demonstrate scientific principles such as gravity and force. For example, one person can set up a large number of dominoes on a table and then push one of them to make them all fall over. The other dominoes then fall on the ones that were already pushed, continuing the chain reaction. This is a simple demonstration of how gravity and the law of conservation of energy work.

Another common use for dominoes is to create works of art, such as drawings and paintings. Artists can make intricate designs that incorporate both horizontal and vertical lines, grids that form pictures when they are arranged in certain ways, and 3-D structures such as towers or pyramids. The artwork can be displayed in museums or used as a teaching tool to show students how different patterns of dominoes can create various shapes.

As a business strategy, it is important for companies to identify the “domino” activities that are most critical to their success and focus on these first. A good domino is an activity that can have a large impact on other areas of the company, such as building an email list or updating social media to increase reach. By focusing on the right dominoes, companies can achieve their business goals faster and more effectively.

While most dominoes are made of wood, other materials have been used as well. European-style dominoes are traditionally made of bone, silver lip oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony. They are crafted with a high level of craftsmanship and usually feature a contrasting color for the dots. More recently, dominoes have been carved from stone (e.g., marble, granite or soapstone); from other types of wood; from metals (e.g., brass or pewter); from ceramic clay; and even from frosted glass. These sets are often more expensive than their wooden counterparts. However, these more modern materials have the advantage of being more durable and easy to clean.