orbital The three dimensional volume of space occupied by an electron in an electron wave. An atomic orbital refers to an electron wave around an atom. A molecular orbital refers to an electron wave associated with more than one atom. oxidation (1) A positive change in the oxidation number of an element during a reaction. (2) Addition of oxygen to a compound during a reaction. (3) Removal of hydrogen from a compound during a reaction. See reduction.
oxidation (1) A positive change in the oxidation number of an element during a reaction. (2) Addition of oxygen to a compound during a reaction. (3) Removal of hydrogen from a compound during a reaction. See reduction.
