Markets | A-Level Economics Notes

These revision notes cover everything you need to know about Markets for A-Level Economics. They're designed for students studying AQA A-Level Economics, Edexcel A-Level Economics, and Edexcel International A-Level Economics. Written by Jaisul Naik, UCL Economics graduate and A-Level Economics tutor since 2017.


What is a market?

A market is a place where buyers and sellers meet to exchange goods and services

What is equilibrium?

Equilibrium is the price and quantity where demand meets supply.

What is disequilibrium?

Disquilibrium occurs at a price where demand does not meet supply.

What is excess demand?

Excess demand occurs at a price where demand is greater than supply. This would cause the price to rise.

What is excess supply?

Excess supply occurs at a price where supply is greater than demand. This would cause the price to fall.

What is an increase?

An increase is a right shift

What is a decrease?

A decrease is a left shift

What is an expansion?

An expansion is a movement forwards along a curve

What is a contraction?

A contraction is a movement backwards along a curve.

What causes an expansion in demand?

An expansion is demand is a movement along the demand curve (to the right).

This is caused by a right shift in supply.

What causes a contraction in demand?

An expansion is demand is a movement along the demand curve (to the left).

This is caused by a left shift in supply.

What causes an expansion in supply?

An expansion is supply is a movement along the supply curve (to the right).

This is caused by a right shift in demand.

What causes a contraction in supply?

An expansion is demand is a movement along the demand curve (to the left).

This is caused by a left shift in demand.


Summary questions

  1. what is a market?
  2. what is equilibrium?
  3. what is disequilibrium?
  4. what is excess demand?
  5. what is excess supply?
  6. what is an increase?
  7. what is a decrease?
  8. what is an expansion?
  9. what is a contraction?
  10. what causes an expansion in demand?
  11. what causes a contraction in demand?
  12. what causes an expansion in supply?
  13. what causes a contraction in supply?

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