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Domino Theory

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Summary

Areas of Science
Difficulty
 
Time Required
Average (6-10 days)
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Abstract

Have you ever set up a line of dominoes and watched them fall? If you wanted to make your line of dominoes fall faster, do you think you should set the dominoes up with more or less space between them? Set your dominoes up in a straight line, using a ruler to keep the spacing between them constant. Try different spacings at 0.5cm increments. Conduct multiple trials at each spacing, and time how long it takes for a fixed total length of dominoes to fall (e.g., a 1.5 or 3.0 meter length of dominoes). Average your results for each spacing. At which spacing do the dominoes fall the fastest? Can you explain your results? Can you predict the optimal spacing for a set of taller (or shorter) dominoes? Find another set and test your prediction! (Gatanaga, D.A., 2004)

Bibliography

Gatanaga, D.A., 2004. "How Does the Distance Between Dominoes Affect the Speed That Dominoes Fall?" California State Science Fair Project Abstract [accessed April 18, 2006] http://cssf.usc.edu/History/2004/Projects/J0211.pdf
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General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Domino Theory." Science Buddies, 15 Feb. 2024, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/ApMech_p034/mechanical-engineering/domino-theory. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2024, February 15). Domino Theory. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/ApMech_p034/mechanical-engineering/domino-theory


Last edit date: 2024-02-15
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