A single phosphorus atom would bond covalently with five fluorine atoms.

Here's why:

* Phosphorus (P) has 5 valence electrons (electrons in its outermost shell).

* Fluorine (F) has 7 valence electrons and needs one more to complete its octet.

To achieve a stable octet, phosphorus needs to share three more electrons. Each fluorine atom can share one electron with phosphorus. Therefore, five fluorine atoms are required to complete phosphorus's octet.

This forms the compound phosphorus pentafluoride (PF5).