Final answer:
The consumer surplus is represented by area F and the producer surplus is represented by area G; when a per-unit tax is placed on the market, it reduces both consumer and producer surplus, impacting the overall economic surplus.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a per-unit tax is placed on a good in the market, it affects both consumer surplus and producer surplus. Based on Figure 3.23, the consumer surplus is represented by area F, which indicates that at equilibrium, consumers are paying less for the product than they would be willing to at higher prices. For instance, at a price of $90, consumers still purchase 20 million units of the product, showcasing that they value it more than the equilibrium price. Conversely, the producer surplus is represented by area G, meaning that producers are receiving more for their product than the minimum they would be willing to accept, as indicated at point K where firms are willing to supply 14 million units at a price of $45.
The imposition of a tax will typically shift the supply curve upwards by the amount of the tax. This will result in a new equilibrium price that is higher for consumers and a lower effective price for producers, reducing both the consumer surplus (area F) and producer surplus (area G). The exact areas representing the new consumer and producer surplus after the tax would depend on the specific shifts in the curves, which are not explicitly shown in the figure provided.
It is also important to note that the total economic surplus, which is the sum of consumer surplus and producer surplus, is maximized at market equilibrium without any taxes. Therefore, any per-unit tax will reduce the overall economic efficiency, as it will lead to a reduction in both consumer surplus and producer surplus, hence decreasing the total social surplus (area F + area G).