instruments for measuring

It's called choice aka the responding tool of evaluation for all perceived value; which can be corrupted by misusing to evaluate suggested values.

if it really is a force

Form (life) within flow (inception towards death) represents the temporary force of resistance within the ongoing force of velocity. Notice that life cannot perceive its own inception and death. Why? Because temporary form (choice) exists within the momentum (balance) of ongoing flow. What one perceives are the consequences of form within momentum; responding to being moved by an ongoing flow.

The many ignore this perceived reality for the suggested fiction from the parasitic few.

Unless it is just another electrical property...

Velocity (flow) causing momentum (balance) for resistance (form) to be able to temporarily sustain itself within the ongoing by choice based adaptation to balance. Repeated use of choice for resisting velocity is called frequency; which grows resistance to velocity (need) or reduces it (want)...depending on choice.

From a different perspective...as an insane (in sanus aka within sound) person (pe sonos aka by sound) ones choice within balance represents resonance (need) or dissonance (want). The parasitic few utilize suggested information (want) to deceive the many to ignore perceived inspiration (need). Choice (suggestion) to choice (consent) contract law represents the inversion of balance (offer) to choice (response) natural law.