Answer
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Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons in the molecule.
Phosphorus (P) is in group 5 of the periodic table, so it has 5 valence electrons. Fluorine (F) is in group 17, so it has 7 valence electrons. The Lewis structure for PF^5 requires one phosphorus atom and five fluorine atoms. Total valence electrons = 5 (from P) + 5 * 7 (from F) = 40 valence electrons
Step 2: Draw the skeletal structure of the molecule.
Place the central atom (phosphorus) in the center and then add the surrounding atoms (fluorine) around it. ``` F F F F F | | | | | P --- --- ---
Final Answer
Place the central atom (phosphorus) in the center and then add the surrounding atoms (fluorine) around it. ``` F F F F F | | | | | P --- --- ---
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