What is the shape of the s orbital?

The shape of the s orbital is indeed spherical. This means that the probability of finding an electron at a certain distance from the nucleus is the same in all directions. As a result, the s orbital exists in three-dimensional space as a symmetrical sphere surrounding the nucleus of the atom. This spherical shape is crucial for understanding how electrons are distributed around the nucleus, and it reflects the energy and quantum number associated with the s orbital, which is the lowest energy level within a principal energy level.

In contrast to other orbital shapes, such as those associated with p or d orbitals—where p orbitals have a dumbbell shape and d orbitals have more complex geometries—the s orbital's unique spherical configuration simplifies many concepts in atomic theory and quantum mechanics, especially in determining the electron cloud's density and the overall electron configuration of an atom.