A major characteristic feature that distinguishes heavy industry from light industry is the

The major characteristic feature that distinguishes heavy industry from light industry is the complexity of the processing technique used in production. Heavy industry involves the production of large, complex, and capital-intensive machinery, equipment, and infrastructure, such as construction materials, mining equipment, and heavy machinery for manufacturing. Heavy industry products require extensive processing and use of advanced and sophisticated manufacturing techniques, which typically involve the use of large-scale machinery and advanced technology. On the other hand, light industry involves the production of smaller, less complex, and less capital-intensive consumer goods such as textiles, clothing, and household appliances. Light industry products typically require less processing and use simpler manufacturing techniques, which usually involve manual labor or semi-automated machinery. Light industry products are generally less costly to produce and require less capital investment than heavy industry products. It's worth noting that the classification of an industry as heavy or light also depends on other factors such as the level of industrial waste, location, and ownership. However, the key distinguishing factor between the two is the complexity of the production process.