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When a comparison between phenomena is made for the purpose of explanation, yes, analogy is commonly used in the teaching of physics.

But it is better to say that experimental physics is based on the collection of data about a particular phenomenon, and fitting those data to mathematical models to test how well their predictions hold. And that is not analogy.

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In an experiment you try out a simple system to see how it works. Then you use those same physical principles to figure out how a more complex system works. An example would be heating water on a stove to see how fluids respond to energy input.

> And that is not analogy.

technically analogy has a broad definition that applies anytime you compare two things.

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