Final answer:
Race is a classification based on physical differences deemed significant by society, while ethnicity refers to shared cultural traits such as language or traditions. Minority groups are defined by their lack of power, not necessarily by their numbers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key difference between the concepts of race and ethnicity lies in their basis and use in society. Race is a social construct concerned with categorization of people based on perceived physical differences such as skin color or facial features, which society deems important. Historically, the concept of race has been variable, changing across cultures and times, and often used to establish categories based on geographic regions or skin tones. On the other hand, ethnicity describes a shared culture which encompasses the practices, norms, values, and beliefs of a group, and can include shared language, religion, and traditions. Ethnicity is sometimes used interchangeably with race, but they are different in that ethnicity has to do with cultural identity, often connected to a person's ancestral homeland or national origin, rather than physical characteristics. Minority groups are those that lack power in society, which can be due to various attributes such as race, age, or social status, and are not necessarily a reflection of numerical minority within a population.