Each refinement of the model of the atom by Thompson, Rutherford, Bohr, and the quantum theorists has relied on the previous work of others. Selective breeding of corn by the Indian people of North America produced a high quality food plant. All branches of science are interrelated. Any procedure which is repeated should give similar results. A group of students all perform the same experiment and discover similarities in their results.
Scientific knowledge is based on experimentation or observation.
The gravitational field strength of the Earth can be determined in the laboratory. Scientific theories must always be tested experimentally. An electron orbital is a region in space where there is the greatest likelihood of finding an electron. The nature of scientific knowledge and the procedures for generating new scientific knowledge are unique and different from those in other fields of knowledge such as philosophy. Compare the methods used for weather forecasting by meteorologists and those used by the people producing the forecasts for the Farmer's Almanac.