Elasticity of Supply
Elasticity of supply refers to the way in which the quantity supplied of a good changes in response to a change in its price. This concept is significant in understanding how producers react to price fluctuations in the market. The section identifies two main types of elasticity of supply:
1. Elastic Supply: This occurs when a small change in price leads to a large change in the quantity supplied. Producers are able to increase output substantially when prices rise, indicating high responsiveness.
2. Inelastic Supply: In this case, a change in price does not significantly affect the quantity supplied. This often happens when production cannot be easily scaled up or down, such as with perishable goods.
Understanding elasticity of supply helps assess how various factors, including production capacity and market dynamics, influence a producer's willingness to supply goods as prices change.