[Indranil (OP)]

In SO₄⁻², is -2 a formal charge or a net charge? Is there any difference between them?

[chiralSPO]

The minus two charge on a sulfate ion is the net charge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_charge

[Indranil (OP)]

The minus two charge on a sulfate ion is the net charge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_charge

Is there any difference between 'net charge' and 'formal charge'?

[chiralSPO]

yes.
Formal charges only apply to an atom, and aren't necessarily "real," they are more like a simple bookkeeping system we use. If you add up all the formal charges on each of the atoms within an ion or molecule, you will get the net charge.

Net charges apply to a whole ion, and are definitely "real." We can measure the charge of an ion.

[Indranil (OP)]

yes.
Formal charges only apply to an atom, and aren't necessarily "real," they are more like a simple bookkeeping system we use. If you add up all the formal charges on each of the atoms within an ion or molecule, you will get the net charge.

Net charges apply to a whole ion, and are definitely "real." We can measure the charge of an ion.

Kindly could you explain the difference with an example so that I can understand it well? I need an explanation with an example, please?

[Indranil (OP)]

yes.
Formal charges only apply to an atom, and aren't necessarily "real," they are more like a simple bookkeeping system we use. If you add up all the formal charges on each of the atoms within an ion or molecule, you will get the net charge.

Net charges apply to a whole ion, and are definitely "real." We can measure the charge of an ion.

Kindly could you explain the difference with an example so that I can understand it well? I need an explanation with an example, please?

[Kryptid]

Kindly could you explain the difference with an example so that I can understand it well? I need an explanation with an example, please?

Please don't make the exact same post twice in a row.

Formal charges are the individual charges on each atom in a molecule, whereas net charge is the sum of all of those charges. Take a carbon monoxide molecule, for example. The carbon atom in carbon monoxide has a formal charge of -1 and the oxygen atom has a formal charge of +1. When you add those together, you get the net charge of the whole molecule, which is 1 + (-1) = 0.

[Indranil (OP)]

Kindly could you provide with a diagram of CO showing formal charge and Net charge, please?

[chiralSPO]

kindly try to work it out yourself first

[Kryptid]

Kindly could you provide with a diagram of CO showing formal charge and Net charge, please?

What would a diagram show that I haven't already told you?