Question

In the market for crude oil, if the change in demand due to the falling price of natural gas (a substitute for oil) is greater than the change in supply due to disruptions in oil-well operations in the Middle East, then the equilibrium price of oil will decrease.True /false

Answer 1

Answer:

True

Explanation:

The effects of both changes on price is as follows:

1. The Greater Effect - change in demand due to the falling price of natural gas (a substitute for oil)

As price of natural gas, a substitute for oil, falls, demand for oil will fall pushing oil producers to respond by cutting crude oil prices in a bid to sustain demand and prevent its fall. Thus, the effect is a price fall.

2. The Lesser Effect - change in supply due to disruptions in oil-well operations in the Middle East

Due to supply disruptions which will result is a reduction in supply, the price of oil will tend to increase as consumers buy more of a commodity in less supply. Thus, the effect on price is a rise.

There, since the greater effect is a price fall, and the lesser effect is a price rise, equilibrium price is expected to fall.