Governments often implement price ceilings to protect consumers from the high prices of essential goods and services that frequently follow natural disasters. One unfortunate side effect of these price ceilings is that they will likely _____.(1 point)

Responses

lead to a shortage as prices are kept from falling to their equilibrium level
lead to a shortage as prices are kept from falling to their equilibrium level

lead to a surplus as prices are kept from falling to their equilibrium level
lead to a surplus as prices are kept from falling to their equilibrium level

lead to a surplus as prices are kept from rising to their equilibrium level
lead to a surplus as prices are kept from rising to their equilibrium level

lead to a shortage as prices are kept from rising to their equilibrium level

1 answer

The correct response is:

lead to a shortage as prices are kept from rising to their equilibrium level.

Price ceilings prevent prices from rising to the level that would balance supply and demand, which can result in a shortage of the goods or services being regulated.