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.
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.
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.
Class 9 Social Science Chapter 2 – More Resources
See the Class 9 Social Science NCERT Book for the full chapter list and official PDF downloads.

