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    $\begingroup$ Forget about virtual particle pairs, that's more like a metaphor. The thing is, black holes emit radiation, regardless of how they do that. Radiation carries energy, which must come from somewhere, there's no free lunch here. But energy equals mass. It all comes out of the black hole's "bank account" of mass, because that's the only thing nearby. $\endgroup$
    – Florin Andrei
    Commented Apr 25, 2019 at 9:32
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    $\begingroup$ @Marko36 It's not that virtual particles are a metaphor in general (although in a sense they are, all particles, virtual or otherwise are just a way of viewing some aspects of the underlying fields), but they are not really a very good explanation of Hawking Radiation. This, however, doesn't answer your question. I look forward to seeing an answer. $\endgroup$
    – Steve Linton
    Commented Apr 25, 2019 at 10:04
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    $\begingroup$ You might like to check out math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Quantum/virtual_particles.html and physics.stackexchange.com/questions/185110/… and other related questions on Physics about virtual particles. $\endgroup$
    – PM 2Ring
    Commented Apr 25, 2019 at 12:53
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    $\begingroup$ This question on physics (and its accepted answer come the closest I have yet found to addressing this question) but they still don't answer it completely. physics.stackexchange.com/questions/251385/…. $\endgroup$
    – Steve Linton
    Commented Apr 25, 2019 at 14:43
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    $\begingroup$ @Marko36 "virtual particles" are internal lines in Feynman diagrams and should not be reified more than that. QFT never assigns a state to a "virtual particle". They are entirely metaphorical. See the answer by Arnold Neumaier (physics.stackexchange.com/a/252183) and his links. $\endgroup$
    – Robin Ekman
    Commented Apr 26, 2019 at 17:24