Question

In: Economics

Why are economic profits not possible in the long run in a purely competitive market? A....

Why are economic profits not possible in the long run in a purely competitive market?
A. Each firm is too small to make profit.
B. More firms will leave a profitable market, driving prices down.
C. Profitable markets drive prices too high and comsumers stop buying.
D. New firms will enter the matket and drive prices down.

Solutions

Expert Solution

Answer: D. New firms will enter the market and drive prices down.

In a purely competitive market of a commodity, if the existing firms in the market make economic profit in the short-run,i.e., price is greater than the average total cost(ATC) of production of the firms, it will attract other firms to enter the market. As a result, over the long-run, the supply of the commodity in the market rises. The increase in the supply of the commodity shifts the supply curve of the commodity rightward. Now, with the given demand in the market, the increase in the supply of the commodity decreases the price of the commodity over the long-run. The price will continue to fall as long as the new firms enter the market. The entry of new firms in the market will stop when the price of the commodity becomes equal to the ATC of the firms, i.e., the existing firms earn zero or normal economic profit. Thus the economic profits are not possible in the long run in a purely competitive market as the new firms will enter the market and drive prices down.

___________________________________________________________


Related Solutions

Discuss why normal profits are the status quo in a competitive market in the long run;...
Discuss why normal profits are the status quo in a competitive market in the long run; use the competitive market response to changes in demand for a commodity to illustrate aspects of your discussion.
Does a monopolistically-competitive firm have zero economic profits in the long run? Why or why not?...
Does a monopolistically-competitive firm have zero economic profits in the long run? Why or why not? How might it be different from perfect competition in the long run?
When a purely competitive firm earns a normal economic total profit in the long run, it...
When a purely competitive firm earns a normal economic total profit in the long run, it produces a quantity Q of its final product where $Price = $Marginal Cost and also $Price = Minimum Average Total Cost. Why are these price and cost equalities considered to be beneficial for the entire economy?
Which of the following explains why in the long run the purely competitive firm produces at...
Which of the following explains why in the long run the purely competitive firm produces at lowest possible cost? Select one: a. There are no advertising costs to add to production costs. b. The demand is equal to average revenue which equals marginal revenue curve is perfectly elastic and intersects the long run average cost curve at its lowest point,thus, the firm produces at full capacity. c. There are no economic profits. d. All of the above are correct.
Diagram a purely (product market) competitive firm in long-run equilibrium. Be sure to show both the...
Diagram a purely (product market) competitive firm in long-run equilibrium. Be sure to show both the market and the representative firm. Next, on the same diagram, show what happens to the market and the representative firm if the market demand for the product falls dramatically, for instance, due to bad press. Briefly explain your conclusions. Please show me your thought process. Please explain it as if you are telling it to someone who has no clue about economics.
Why is there no economic profit for perfectly competitive firms in the long run? Why is...
Why is there no economic profit for perfectly competitive firms in the long run? Why is there no economic loss? Answer this question by using an example of a market or industry where perfectly competitive or close to perfectly competitive firms operate (or run their businesses) in close to 'no economic profit or no economic loss' situation.
Long-term economic profits are possible in the Monopoly and Oligopoly market structures due to barriers of...
Long-term economic profits are possible in the Monopoly and Oligopoly market structures due to barriers of entry. List two examples of different types of barriers:
Long run economic profits are always zero for which of the following market structures? a. Perfect...
Long run economic profits are always zero for which of the following market structures? a. Perfect competition b. Monopolistic competition c. Monopolies d. Perfect competition and monopolistic competition e. Monopolistic competition and monopolies f. Perfect competition, monopolistic competition, and monopolies
1.In long-run competitive market equilibrium, price equals _______ and economic profit is ______.
1.In long-run competitive market equilibrium, price equals _______ and economic profit is ______.A. Minimum average variable cost; greater than zeroB. Minimum average total cost; zeroC. Maximum marginal cost; zeroD.Minimum fixed cost; greater than zero2. Which of the following market structures has the highest barriers to entry?                    A. Perfect competition                 B. Monopoly                     C. Monopolistic competition                      D. Oligopoly3. Which of the following is consistent with a competitive market?           A. A small number of firms          B. Exit of small firms when profits are high for large firms                              C. Zero economic...
In a perfect competitive market, the economic profits are zero. Then why does anyone wants to...
In a perfect competitive market, the economic profits are zero. Then why does anyone wants to enter this market in the first place? For example, the gas station market is one example of perfect competition but yet we see new entries to the market. What justifies that?  
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT