What is the shape of an S block orbital?

The shape of an s block orbital is indeed spherical. In quantum mechanics, s orbitals are characterized by a l value of 0, which indicates that there is no angular momentum and therefore no directional characteristics to the orbital shape. As a result, the probability density of finding an electron within an s orbital is uniform in all directions, leading to a spherical shape.

S orbitals are found in every energy level, starting from the first energy level (1s) and increase with higher energy levels (2s, 3s, etc.). Each of these s orbitals maintains the spherical shape, with the size of the sphere increasing as you move to higher energy levels. This spherical nature is critical when considering electron configurations and the distribution of electrons in an atom, contributing to the fundamental understanding of chemical bonding and atomic structure.