Physics is often seen as the "experimental science" but is this really the case?
Physics is a system that uses new language and frameworks to organize empirical data. (In this framework questions about properties of systems are among the elements of doung science).
Experiments ar used to get answers which are then fitted into the system in theory creation and also used to inspire a predictive framework. Confirmation is overrated.
Maybe this is a reason competitive theory making in physics has stalled in last half century