An electrostatic force balance (EFB) is an instrument that determines mass by balancing the weight of an object against an electrostatic force. It links the mechanical definition of mass to electrical standards. This apparatus is critical for realizing the kilogram in the SI system using fundamental physical constants.
The lab is setting up the EFB to perform primary mass calibrations without relying on a physical artifact.
Related terms
SI
International System of Units, the coherent set of seven base units on which all traceable measurement rests.
Primary standard
A standard that gets its value straight from the unit definition, not from calibration against another standard.
Artifact
A physical object that embodies a known value of a quantity, such as a mass, gauge block or standard resistor.