General Mathematics

Logarithmic function
applied in Chemistry
Name: Mary Ann A. Quintana

HUmss 102
sir: Jc Tiamzon
Two kinds of logarithms are often used in chemistry: common ( or Briggian) logarithms
and natural (or Napieran) logarothmjs.The power to which a base of 10 must be raised
to obtain a number is called the common logarithm (log) of the number. The power to
which the base e (e = 2.718281828....) must be raised to obtain a number called the
natural logarithms (In ) of the number.

In Chemistry, it works with two types of logarithms. We encounter common

(base 10) logarithms in General Chemistry, primarily when dealing with pH.
An understanding of natural (base e) logarithms is necessary in some higher
level courses.
 Acidity and pH level
The pH level of water-based solution is
defined as pH = -log [H=] where [H+] is the
concentration of hydrogen ions in moles per
liter. Solutions with a pH of 7 are defined
neutral, those with pH<7 are acidic, and those
with pH>7 are basic.
Example 1 :
A 1- liter solution contains 0.00001 moles of hydrogen ions.
Find its pH level.

Solution :
Since there are 0.00001 moles of hydrogen ions in 1 liter, then the
constration of hydrogen ions is 10-5 moles per liter.
pH = -log [H+]
-5
= -log [10 ]
= - [-5]
pH = 5
 General Mathematics

Logarithmic Functions applied in

Seismology

Name : Mary Ann A. Quintana

HUMSS 102
Sir : Jc Tiamzon
 In 1935, Charles Francis Ritcher proposed a logarithmic scale to measure
the intensity of an earthquake.He defined the magnitude of an
earthquake as a function of its amptitude on a standard sismograph. The
following formula produces the same results, but is based on the energy
released by an earthquake.

Earthquake Magnitude on a Ritcher Scale

The magnitude R of an earthquake is given by
4.40
R = 2/3 log E/10

Where E ( in joules) is the energy re;eased by the earthquake ( the

quality 10 4.40

joules is the energy released by a very small earthquake).

Example situation :
Suppose that an earthquake released approximately 10 12 joules of energy.
a). What is its magnitude on a Ritcher Scale ?
b). How much more energy does this earthquake release than the reference
earthquake?
12
Solution a. Given that = E 10 Solution b.
4.40
R = 2/3 log E/10 This earthquake releases
12 4.40 12 4.40 7.6
= 2/3 log 10 / 10 10 / 10 =10 = 39,
7.6 810,717
= 2/3 log 10

= 2/3 (7.6) times more energy than the reference

earthquake
R = 5.1
 General Mathematics

Logarithmic Functions
applied in Physics
Name: Mary Ann A. Quintana
HUMSS 102
Sir . J c Tiamzon
 Invented in the 17th century to speed up calculations,logarithms vastly
reduced the time required for multiplying numbers with many digits. They
were basic in numerical work for more than 300 years, until the perfection of
mechanical calculating machines in the late 19th century and computers in
the 20th century rendered them obsolete for large scale computations. The
natural logarithm (with base e = 2.7i828 and written In n ), however,
continues tobe one of the most useful functions in mathematical models
throughout the physical and biological sciences.
y = log x, is ised " the logarithm, base a 0f x," log. base a, of x," means " the exponent to
which we raise a to get x."
y = log a. X-
y is exponent a. is base x- is argument
is equivalent to
ay = X
2
log x = 2 ____3 x-x = 9
.
log y = 0 ____5 = x -y -1
 General Mathematics

Logarithmic Function

applied in Health

Mary Ann Quintana

HUMSS 102

Sir. Jc Tiamzon
Logarithms are used by physicians in both nuclear
and interval medicine . For example, they are used
for investigating pH concentrations, determining
amounts of radioactive decay, as well as amounts
of bacterial growth, Logarithms also used in
obstetrics.
Logarithm in health
Calculating decay of medicine in body y=Ae^-kt amount of medicine in the body.
How are dosages prescribed for patients?

GRAPHING LOGS

Time in hours Amount of medicine left in the body

1. 496.59 g y = Ae^- kt
2. 246.60g A = 1000g of medicine
k=0.70 rate 0f decay
3. 122.46g
T = 1 time in hours

SOLUTION: y = 1000e^ - 70(1)

= 1000(.496585)

= 496.59 grams