LOGARITHMS

INTRODUCTION The function f ( x) 2 x is called an exponential function because the variable, x, is the exponent. In general, exponential functions are of the form f ( x) a x , where a is a positive constant. The inverse of an exponential function is called a logarithmic function. Therefore, the inverse of f ( x) a x is the logarithmic function with base a, such that y log a x logarithms.

a y x . In many science applications, we are interested in base 10

EVALUATING LOGARITHMS In science it is important to be able to evaluate log functions, as they come up in many applications. To evaluate the log (base 10) of a number, type the number into your calculator and then hit the [log] key. Some calculators are slightly different; therefore, it is important for students to be familiar with their own calculator. It is also important in many situations to be able to determine the antilog of a log value. To evaluate the antilog of a number, type the number into the calculator and hit the [10x] key. _______________________________________________________________________ Example: Find x in each of the following equations: x log10 3.6 and log10 x 6.75 . Solution:
x log10 3.6

log10 x 6.75

x 0.556 x 5.62 x10 6 _______________________________________________________________________

In chemistry, we encounter logarithms when dealing with the measurement of acidity of an aqueous solution. The pH value is defined as the negative log of the concentration of H+ ions [H+]. pH = - log [H+] or + [H ] = 10-pH

_______________________________________________________________________ Example: Convert 3.5x10-3 [H+] to pH.

Solution: pH = - log [H+] pH = - log [ 3.5 10 3 ] pH = 2.4 _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Example: What value of [H+] corresponds to a pH of 4.3? pH = - log [H+] 4.3 = - log [H+] -4.3 = log [H+] [H+] = 10-4.3 [H+] = 5.0 10 5 _______________________________________________________________________