Sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) is an ionic compound, and its oxidation states are determined by the charges of the individual ions:

* Sodium (Na) is in group 1 of the periodic table, so it always has an oxidation state of +1.

* Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is a polyatomic ion with a charge of -1.

To calculate the oxidation state of nitrogen (N) in the nitrate ion, we can use the following:

* Oxygen (O) usually has an oxidation state of -2.

* The overall charge of the nitrate ion is -1.

Therefore, the oxidation state of nitrogen (N) can be calculated as:

N + 3(-2) = -1

N - 6 = -1

N = +5

So, the oxidation states in sodium nitrate are:

* Na: +1

* N: +5

* O: -2