Movement along the demand curve
Also called: Extension and contraction of demand, Change in quantity demanded · Topic: Consumer Behaviour, Demand and Elasticity · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Theory of Consumer Behaviour"
Meaning
A movement along the demand curve is a change in the quantity demanded caused only by a change in the good's own price, with all other factors fixed. The curve itself stays put, and the buyer moves to a new point on it. A price fall causes an extension (more is bought). A price rise causes a contraction (less is bought).
Example
Mangoes fall from ₹150 to ₹50 per kg and Srivalli's purchase rises from 1 kg to 3 kg. This is an extension along the same demand curve.
Don't confuse with
- Shift in the demand curve: the whole curve moves right (an increase in demand) or left (a decrease in demand) because of something other than own price. Examples are income, related goods' prices, tastes, population, season or expectations. A shift draws a new curve; a movement only picks a new point on the same curve.
Related concepts
- Determinants of demand
- Related goods
- Substitute goods
- Complementary goods
- Consumer income
- Purchasing power
- Future price expectations
- Population size and composition
- Shift in demand curve