Concept:A price fixed below the equilibrium price creates a shortage because quantity demanded exceeds quantity supplied.
Explanation:At the equilibrium price, the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied.
When the government or a seller fixes the price below this equilibrium, buyers are willing to buy more because the price is cheap.
Meanwhile, sellers are willing to supply less because the lower price reduces their profit.
Therefore, the quantity demanded becomes greater than the quantity supplied.
This situation is known as excess demand or a shortage in the market.
Since the price is already fixed and cannot rise freely, the market cannot automatically return to equilibrium.
Answer:A. excess demand