Why did Galileo use a thought experiment instead of working with real objects

How would you place two electrons on a sphere of radius r so that the electrostatic potential energy is minimized. how would you place three electrons to solve the same problem.

Suppose that an electromagnetic wave which is linearly polarized along the x−axis is propagating in vacuum along the z−axis. the wave is incident on a conductor which is placed at z > 0 region of the space. the conductor has conductivity σ, magnetic permeability µ and electric permittivity ε. (a) find the characteristic time for the free charge density which dissipates at the conductor. (b) write the maxwell equations and derive the wave equation for a plane wave propagating in a conductor. (c) find the attenuation distance at which the incident amplitude reduces to e ^−1 of its initial value. (d) find the electric and magnetic fields inside the conductor. 8 (e) find the power loss per area of the incident electromagnetic wave at the surface of conductor.

Which car has the most kinetic energy? a. a car of mass 1000 kg with a speed of 3 m/s b. a car of mass 2000 kg with speed 7 m/s c. a car of mass 1000 kg with speed 7 m/s d. a car of mass 2000 kg with speed 3 m/s