In sodium sulfite Na2SO3 , the oxidation state of sodium Na is +1 and oxygen O is -2. The compound has two sodium atoms, so the total positive charge from sodium is +2. There are three oxygen atoms, so the total negative charge from oxygen is -6.To find the oxidation state of sulfur S , we need to balance the charges in the compound. Let x be the oxidation state of sulfur. The sum of the charges in the compound should be equal to zero.+2 + x + -6 = 0x - 4 = 0x = +4So, the oxidation state of sulfur in sodium sulfite Na2SO3 is +4.