NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Chapter 2: Shaping of the Earth’s Surface – Free PDF Download

Chapter 2 of the new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook is Shaping of the Earth’s Surface, part of the Geography section. It explains the internal and external forces that shape landforms.

Last Updated: September 23, 2026

Earth’s Interior

Q: What are the three main layers of the Earth’s interior?
A: The crust (outermost, thinnest layer), the mantle (thick middle layer), and the core (innermost layer, divided into outer and inner core).

Forces That Shape the Land

Q: What is the difference between endogenic and exogenic forces?
A: Endogenic forces act from within the Earth (e.g. earthquakes, volcanic activity, plate movement) and tend to build up landforms; exogenic forces act on the surface from outside (e.g. weathering, erosion by wind and water) and tend to wear landforms down.

Landforms

Q: Name a few major types of landforms.
A: Mountains, plateaus, and plains are the three major landform types, each formed differently by internal and external forces over time.

Fold Mountains vs Block Mountains

Q: What is the difference between a fold mountain and a block mountain?
A: Fold mountains (like the Himalayas) form when tectonic plates collide and rock layers bend upward under pressure; block mountains (like Germany’s Black Forest) form when large blocks of the Earth’s crust are uplifted or dropped along faults, creating steep-sided landforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes earthquakes?
Earthquakes are mainly caused by the sudden release of energy along fault lines where tectonic plates move, collide, or slide past each other.

What is weathering?
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks at or near the Earth’s surface due to natural agents like temperature change, water, wind, and living organisms.

Written by Satish

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