Final answer:
An empirical model predicts based on observed data, whereas a rational model uses mathematical and scientific principles for predictions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the rational model and the empirical model is that the empirical model is based on experimentally derived results, whereas the rational model is mathematically based on fundamental scientific relationships. This means that an empirical model, which includes applied or empirical representations, attempts to predict outcomes based on observed data without necessarily understanding the underlying system. In contrast, a rational model relies on mathematical equations and scientific principles to explain relationships and predict outcomes.