Overlap integrals: What are they and how do we arrive at the formula?

Mazzur
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Hey I've been looking all over the web and I can't find any comprehensible information on overlap integrals. What does the overlap integral of two functions give us? And why?

Thanks in advance!
 
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hint: change of basis
 
ansgar said:
hint: change of basis

lol sorry - I don't have a clue what the basis even refers to...
 
Mazzur said:
lol sorry - I don't have a clue what the basis even refers to...

Basis(basis set) = atomic orbitals from which the MO is built.
So overlap integrals is a measure of the interracton between a nucleus and electron density centred on the other nucleus . Note that this is just partial example of what overlap integral is.
I guess we arrive at the formula by considering the fact that atomic orbitals can be combined linearly.
 

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