Final answer:
The distinction between normal and inferior goods lies in how demand changes with income increases; demand for normal goods rises, while for inferior goods, it declines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key distinction between a normal good and an inferior good relates to how the demand for these goods changes as income changes. For a normal good, demand increases as income rises, reflecting an income elasticity of demand that is positive. This means that when people have more income, they are more likely to purchase more of such goods, which can include items like luxury cars, fine jewelry, and vacations. On the other hand, an inferior good has a negative income elasticity of demand, which indicates that as income rises, demand for these goods declines. Individuals tend to buy less of these goods when they can afford better alternatives. For instance, as income increases, people might switch from generic brand groceries to name brand ones, or from used cars to new cars.