Consider a perfectly competitive constant-cost industry in long-run equilibrium, which produces toothbrushes that currently sell at an equilibrium...

Consider a perfectly competitive constant-cost industry in long-run equilibrium, which produces toothbrushes that currently sell at an equilibrium price of $2.00 each.

a. The government introduces a tax of $0.50 per toothbrush; the proceeds are to be used for "dental education." Explain, with the aid of appropriate diagrams (for both a typical firm, and the industry) why, in the short-run, the price paid by consumers for toothbrushes will rise by less than $0.50, but in the long-run the prices will rise by $0.50.

b. Suppose that the tax were levied at a percentage rate (rather than a fixed "specific" rate per toothbrush) of 25%. How would the diagrammatic analysis differ from that of 5.a.?