The short-run supply curve of a purely competitive industry tends to be steeper than the long-run supply curve.

Short-Run Supply

The total quantity of goods and services that producers are willing and able to sell at current prices in a short-term period, often influenced by fixed production capacities.

Long-Run Supply

The total amount of a product or service that is available to the market from all producers over a long period, when all inputs can be adjusted.

Purely Competitive

An idealized market structure in which there are many buyers and sellers, no barriers to entry or exit, and perfect information, leading to prices being determined by supply and demand.