Identify the central atom in the molecule CF_4, which is carbon (C).
Determine the number of valence electrons around the central atom. Carbon has 4 valence electrons, and each fluorine atom contributes 1 electron for bonding, totaling 8 electrons involved in bonding.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the shape. Since there are 4 bonding pairs and no lone pairs on the central carbon atom, the electron pairs will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion.
According to VSEPR theory, 4 bonding pairs around a central atom with no lone pairs adopt a tetrahedral geometry to maximize the distance between electron pairs.
Conclude that the molecular geometry of CF_4 is tetrahedral, with bond angles close to 109.5 degrees.