Are ETC and ETH the same?

I'm curious about a subject that's often causing confusion among cryptocurrency enthusiasts - the relationship between ETC and ETH. Could you please clarify for me whether ETC and ETH are essentially the same thing? Or are they distinct cryptocurrencies with unique characteristics and functionalities? I've heard conflicting opinions on this matter and I'm eager to get a professional perspective on the subject. Could you break it down for me, explaining the key differences, if any, between these two cryptocurrencies? Thank you in advance for shedding some light on this topic.