What is the difference between ETH and ERC?

Could you please elaborate on the fundamental differences between ETH and ERC? I've heard they're both associated with Ethereum, but I'm curious about their specific roles and functionalities. ETH, as I understand, is the native currency of the Ethereum network, powering transactions and serving as the backbone of its economy. But what exactly is ERC, and how does it differ from ETH? Is ERC a type of token or a standard? How does it interact with the Ethereum blockchain? I'm eager to gain a deeper understanding of these concepts and how they fit into the broader cryptocurrency and finance landscape. Thank you for your clarification.