Final answer:
The shape of the Earth is not a perfect sphere due to several factors, including the uneven surface, the bulging at the equator, and the impact of the atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The shape of the Earth is not a perfect sphere due to several factors. First, the Earth's surface is not uniform. It consists of landmasses, mountains, valleys, and bodies of water, which all contribute to its irregular shape. Additionally, the Earth's rotation causes it to bulge at the equator, resulting in an oblate spheroid shape, where the radius at the equator is larger than at the poles.
The Earth's atmosphere also affects its shape. The gravitational pull of the Earth causes air to accumulate near the surface, resulting in slight variations in the shape and density of the atmosphere around the Earth.