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{{Short description|Cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a chain of other events}}
{{other uses|Domino Effect (disambiguation)}}
{{Other uses}}
[[Image:Domino 01.jpg|thumb|Domino effect events]]
{{Distinguish|Domino theory}}
[[Image:Domino effect.jpg|thumb|upright|(Top) Dominoes are standing. (Bottom) Dominoes are in motion.]]
[[File:Dominoes falling.jpg|thumb|A falling line of dominoes, each knocking the next over]]
A '''domino effect''' or '''[[chain reaction]]''' is the cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a chain of similar events.<ref>{{cite web|title=domino effect|url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/domino+effect|website=The Free Dictionary|publisher=Farlex, Inc.|accessdate=29 September 2014}}</ref> The term is best known as a mechanical effect and is used as an analogy to a [[Domino show|falling row]] of [[dominoes]]. It typically refers to a linked sequence of events where the time between successive events is relatively small. It can be used literally (an observed series of actual collisions) or metaphorically (causal linkages within systems such as global finance or politics). The term ''domino effect'' is used both to imply that an event is inevitable or highly likely (as it has already started to happen), and conversely to imply that an event is impossible or highly unlikely (the one domino left standing).
A '''domino effect''' is the cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a series of similar<ref>{{cite web|title=domino effect|url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/domino+effect|website=The Free Dictionary|publisher=Farlex, Inc.|access-date=29 September 2014}}</ref> or related events, a form of [[chain reaction]]. The term is an analogy to a [[Domino toppling|falling row of dominoes]]. It typically refers to a linked sequence of events where the time between successive events is relatively short. The term can be used literally (about a series of actual collisions) or metaphorically (about causal linkages within systems such as global finance or politics).


The literal, mechanical domino effect is exploited in [[Rube Goldberg machine]]s. In chemistry, the principle applies to a [[domino reaction]], in which one chemical reaction sets up the conditions necessary for a subsequent one that soon follows. In the realm of [[process safety]], a [[Domino effect accident|domino-effect accident]] is an initial undesirable event triggering additional ones in related equipment or facilities, leading to a total incident effect more severe than the primary accident alone.
== Demonstration of the effect ==
The domino effect can easily be visualized by placing a row of [[dominoes]] upright, separated by a small distance. Upon pushing the first domino, the next domino in line will be knocked over, and so on, thus firing a linear chain in which each domino's fall is triggered by the domino immediately preceding it. The effect is the same regardless of the length of the chain. The energy used in this chain reaction is the [[potential energy]] of the dominoes due to them being in a [[metastable]] state; when the first domino is toppled, the energy transferred by the fall is greater than the energy needed to knock over the following domino, and so on.


The metaphorical usage implies that an outcome is inevitable or highly likely (as it has already started to happen) – a form of [[slippery slope]] argument. When this outcome is actually unlikely (the argument is [[Fallacy|fallacious]]), it has also been called the ''[[domino fallacy]]''.<ref name="Damer 1995">{{cite book |last=Damer |first=T. Edward |title=Attacking faulty reasoning: A practical guide to fallacy-free arguments |publisher=[[Wadsworth Publishing]] |location=Belmont, California |date=1995 |isbn=978-0-534-21750-1 |page=135}}</ref>
The domino effect is exploited in [[Rube Goldberg machine]]s.

==Appearances in media==
*''[[Domino Day]]'' – world record attempt for the highest number of toppling domino stones.


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Society}}
*[[Ripple effect]]
<!-- alphabetical order please [[WP:SEEALSO]] -->
*[[Rube Goldberg machine]]
<!-- please add a short description [[WP:SEEALSO]], via {{subst:AnnotatedListOfLinks}} or {{Annotated link}} -->

{{div col|colwidth=20em|small=yes}}
Relevant physical theory:
* {{Annotated link |Behavioral contagion}}
*[[Butterfly effect]]
* {{Annotated link |Butterfly effect}}
*[[Cascading failure]]
* {{Annotated link |Cascading failure}}
*[[Causality]]
* {{Annotated link |Causality}}
*[[Chain reaction]]
* {{Annotated link |Chinese whispers}}
*[[Snowball effect]]
* {{Annotated link |Copycat crime}}

* {{Annotated link |Domino theory}}
Mathematical theory
* {{Annotated link |Kessler syndrome}}
*[[Mathematical induction]]
* {{Annotated link |Mathematical induction}}

* {{Annotated link |Placebo effect}}
Political theory
* {{Annotated link |Side effect}}
*[[Domino theory]]
* {{Annotated link |Ripple effect}}

* {{Annotated link |Snowball effect}}
Social
{{div col end}}
*[[Chinese whispers]]
<!-- alphabetical order please [[WP:SEEALSO]] -->
*[[Behavioral contagion]]
*[[Copycat crime]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{commons category}}
{{Commons category}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*''Impact Mechanics'', W. J. Stronge, Cambridge University Press, 2004, {{ISBN|0-521-60289-0}}, {{ISBN|978-0-521-60289-1}}
*{{cite book |title=Impact Mechanics |first=W. J. |last=Stronge |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |date=2004 |isbn=978-0-521-60289-1}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Domino Effect}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Domino Effect}}

Latest revision as of 18:34, 10 July 2024

A falling line of dominoes, each knocking the next over

A domino effect is the cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a series of similar[1] or related events, a form of chain reaction. The term is an analogy to a falling row of dominoes. It typically refers to a linked sequence of events where the time between successive events is relatively short. The term can be used literally (about a series of actual collisions) or metaphorically (about causal linkages within systems such as global finance or politics).

The literal, mechanical domino effect is exploited in Rube Goldberg machines. In chemistry, the principle applies to a domino reaction, in which one chemical reaction sets up the conditions necessary for a subsequent one that soon follows. In the realm of process safety, a domino-effect accident is an initial undesirable event triggering additional ones in related equipment or facilities, leading to a total incident effect more severe than the primary accident alone.

The metaphorical usage implies that an outcome is inevitable or highly likely (as it has already started to happen) – a form of slippery slope argument. When this outcome is actually unlikely (the argument is fallacious), it has also been called the domino fallacy.[2]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "domino effect". The Free Dictionary. Farlex, Inc. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  2. ^ Damer, T. Edward (1995). Attacking faulty reasoning: A practical guide to fallacy-free arguments. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-534-21750-1.

Further reading

[edit]