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A '''virtual particle''' is a theoretical transient [[particle]] that exhibits some of the characteristics of an ordinary particle, while having its existence limited by the [[uncertainty principle]], which allows the virtual particles to spontaneously emerge from vacuum at short time and space ranges.<ref>{{cite book|author=Griffiths, D.J. |author-link=David J. Griffiths |page=56 |year=2008 |title=Introduction to Elementary Particles |edition=2nd |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |isbn=978-3-527-40601-2}}</ref> The concept of virtual particles arises in the [[perturbation theory (quantum mechanics)|perturbation theory]] of [[quantum field theory]] (QFT) where interactions between ordinary particles are described in terms of exchanges of virtual particles.
Virtual particles do not necessarily carry the same [[mass]] as the corresponding real particle, although they always conserve [[energy]] and [[momentum]]. The closer its characteristics come to those of ordinary particles, the longer the virtual particle exists. They are important in the physics of many processes, including particle scattering and [[Casimir force]]s. In quantum field theory, forces—such as the [[electromagnetic repulsion]] or attraction between two charges—can be thought of as resulting from the exchange of virtual [[photon]]s between the charges. Virtual photons are the [[exchange particle]] for the [[Electromagnetism|electromagnetic interaction]].
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