What is one main difference between vector and raster data?

The reason option C is the correct answer lies in the fundamental characteristics that distinguish vector data from raster data in geographic information systems (GIS). Vector data is composed of points, lines, and polygons, which are used to represent discrete objects or geographic features such as roads, rivers, and boundaries. Each vector feature can have various attributes associated with it in an attribute table, allowing for extensive data representation and analysis.

In contrast, raster data is comprised of a grid of pixels or cells, each containing a value that represents information about the area it covers, such as color in an image or temperature in a grid of environmental data. This pixel-based structure makes raster data particularly suited for continuous data representation, such as elevation or imagery.

Understanding these basic principles helps clarify the significant differences in how these two types of data are structured and used in GIS. Vector data's representation of geometric shapes allows for precise, complex spatial analysis, while raster data's pixel-based image structure is better for representing gradual changes in data, like gradients in terrain models.