Why are such large numbers needed for force

Well in computer terms 1 can be a very big number as a reference to mass.

Google check an empty balloon has a mass of .012 kg.

Assuming that a physics base result is required then all elements as to the math has to match the real world equivalent.

Or

You can cheat and give the object in question a positivity gravitation value.

And as a though. You did tell UE4 that the object was a movable right?