Determine the pK_{a} for acetic acid, HC_{2}H_{3}O_{2}, given that K_{a} for this acid is 1.8 × 10^{-5}.
Because the K_{a} value is 1.8 × 10^{-5} and pK_{a} = -log K_{a}, we have
pK_{a} = -log(1.8 × 10^{-5}) = 4.74
The logarithm value 4.74 was obtained using an electronic calculator, as explained in
Example 10.5.