Comment by blueprint
3 years ago
Virtual particles are also "real", and if you don't believe me, at least you have to admit that virtual photons alone lead to real energy (e.g. Casimir effect) - and it has also been stated that gluons within protons can be interpreted as "virtual"... so I'm pretty sure your comment is wrong. I'd downvote you if I could since that seems to be what the cool kids here are doing but I used up all my karma telling the truth.
"Virtual particles are also "real"."
No doubt, and Casimir is probably sufficient evidence, but it seems to me a lot of confusion would be saved if we changed the name.
To what I don't know - perhaps something like say quantum energy disturbance but more eloquent or descriptive.
100%. "Possible" particle? :)