The structure of the earth - a plenary - Free Printable

Let's solve this step-by-step based on the worksheet titled "The structure of the earth – a plenary".

---

🔹 Task 1: Label the diagram to show the different layers of the Earth

The diagram shows four concentric circles, representing the layers of the Earth, from outermost to innermost:

1. Outermost layer → Crust
2. Second layer → Mantle
3. Third layer → Outer Core
4. Innermost layer → Inner Core

So, label them in order (from outside to inside):

- Top box (outermost): Crust
- Second box: Mantle
- Third box: Outer Core
- Bottom box (innermost): Inner Core

✔ Answer for Task 1:
```
[Crust]
[Mantle]
[Outer Core]
[Inner Core]
```

---

🔹 Task 2: Categorise each statement using a colour-coded key

We are given 10 statements and need to match them to the correct layer of the Earth. Then assign a colour to each layer using the rainbow pencil image (which implies assigning a unique colour per layer).

Let’s go through each statement and determine which layer it describes.

---

#### 🔍 Step 1: Identify the correct layer for each statement

| Statement | Layer |
|--------|-------|
| This is the thin, outer layer of the Earth. | Crust |
| This layer is made of solid rock. | Crust (or Mantle — but "solid rock" applies to both; more context needed) |
| This is the layer we live on. It is composed of several tectonic plates. | Crust |
| This layer can be up to 2,900 km wide. | Mantle (approximate thickness) |
| The upper part of this layer is hard rock, but lower down it has begun to melt. | Mantle (upper mantle is solid, lower mantle is semi-solid) |
| Part of this layer is made of semi-molten rock called magma. | Mantle (magma comes from the mantle) |
| This layer surrounds the very centre of the Earth. | Outer Core |
| This liquid layer is made of iron and nickel. It is extremely hot in this layer. | Outer Core |
| This layer is at the centre of the Earth. | Inner Core |
| It is extremely hot in this layer with temperatures up to 5,500°C. | Inner Core |
| There is lots of heat energy (power) in this layer, much like the engine in a car. | Core (Inner or Outer) — but likely Outer Core, as convection drives plate tectonics |
| This solid layer is made of iron and nickel. | Inner Core |

Now, let’s group them by layer.

---

🌍 Final Matching by Layer

#### ✔ Crust
- This is the thin, outer layer of the Earth.
- This layer is made of solid rock.
- This is the layer we live on. It is composed of several tectonic plates.

#### ✔ Mantle
- This layer can be up to 2,900 km wide.
- The upper part of this layer is hard rock, but lower down it has begun to melt.
- Part of this layer is made of semi-molten rock called magma.

#### ✔ Outer Core
- This layer surrounds the very centre of the Earth.
- This liquid layer is made of iron and nickel. It is extremely hot in this layer.
- There is lots of heat energy (power) in this layer, much like the engine in a car.

#### ✔ Inner Core
- This layer is at the centre of the Earth.
- It is extremely hot in this layer with temperatures up to 5,500°C.
- This solid layer is made of iron and nickel.

> ⚠️ Note: Some statements could apply to multiple layers, but we use the most specific one.

---

🎨 Step 2: Assign colours using the rainbow pencils

The image shows a rainbow of pencils:
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet → typical ROYGBIV spectrum.

But since there are 4 layers, we can pick one colour per layer. Let’s assign:

| Layer | Suggested Colour |
|------|------------------|
| Crust | Green (often used for surface/earth) |
| Mantle | Orange/Yellow (hot, rocky interior) |
| Outer Core | Red (liquid, hot, iron/nickel) |
| Inner Core | Blue/Purple (deep, solid, dense) |

But since the key allows any colour coding, we can assign distinct colours arbitrarily. Let’s use:

| Layer of the Earth | Colour |
|--------------------|--------|
| Crust | Green |
| Mantle | Yellow |
| Outer Core | Red |
| Inner Core | Blue |

(You can adjust based on teacher preference, but these are logical choices.)

---

✔ Final Answer for Task 2: Key Table

| Layer of the Earth | Colour |
|--------------------|--------|
| Crust | Green |
| Mantle | Yellow |
| Outer Core | Red |
| Inner Core | Blue |

Then, each statement should be coloured accordingly.

---

🧩 Summary of Answers

#### ✔ Task 1: Diagram Labels (from outer to inner)
1. Crust
2. Mantle
3. Outer Core
4. Inner Core

#### ✔ Task 2: Colour-Coded Key
| Layer of the Earth | Colour |
|--------------------|--------|
| Crust | Green |
| Mantle | Yellow |
| Outer Core | Red |
| Inner Core | Blue |

And then, colour each statement based on its matching layer:
- Crust → Green
- Mantle → Yellow
- Outer Core → Red
- Inner Core → Blue

---

💡 Additional Notes:

- The crust is only ~5–70 km thick (thin).
- The mantle is ~2,900 km thick and mostly solid but flows slowly.
- The outer core is liquid iron/nickel; generates Earth’s magnetic field.
- The inner core is solid iron/nickel due to extreme pressure.

This activity helps students understand Earth's internal structure through visual labeling and conceptual categorisation.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a filled-in PDF!