Question

answer the questions in the table below about the shape of the iodine pentafluoride (if₅) molecule.
how many electron groups are around the central iodine atom?
note: one \electron group\ means one lone pair, one single bond, one double bond, or one triple bond.
what phrase best describes the arrangement of these electron groups around the central iodine atom? (you may need to use the scrollbar to see all the choices.)

Explanation:

Step1: Determine bonding and lone - pairs

Iodine in $IF_5$ has 5 bonding pairs (with 5 fluorine atoms) and 1 lone - pair. So the total number of electron groups is the sum of bonding and lone - pairs.
$5 + 1=6$

Step2: Recall VSEPR theory

According to VSEPR (Valence - Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion) theory, when there are 6 electron groups around a central atom, the electron - group arrangement is octahedral.

Answer:

How many electron groups are around the central iodine atom? 6
What phrase best describes the arrangement of these electron groups around the central iodine atom? Octahedral