Logarithms are useful in at least two major circumstances:
One is where exponential functions are used. Just as division is the inverse of multiplication, a logarithm is the inverse of an exponential function. In physics, a common use is radioactive decay. The amount of radioactive material remaining after some time passes is the product of the initial amount and an exponential function of (-t/t0). To calculate the amount remaining as a function of time requires an exponential function. To go backwards, to calculate the time passed as a function of the amount of radioactive material remaining, requires a logarithmic function.
Another is where the area under a 1/x curve is needed. When you learn calculus, you will see that the area under a 1/x curve is a ln(x). Anytime something changes at a rate proportional to 1/x, the total value is logarithmic. Such effects occur in electricity and magnetism. You may not see it until you study physics at the level of calculus (i.e. rates that are not constant), but logarithms are used.
Dr. Ken Mellendorf
Physics Instructor
Illinois Central College