What term describes a downward movement along the demand curve?

The term that correctly describes a downward movement along the demand curve is "Contraction." This movement occurs as the price of a good decreases, leading to a higher quantity demanded by consumers. When the price falls, consumers tend to buy more of the good, reflecting the law of demand, which states that there is an inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded.

In contrast, the term "Expansion" refers to an increase in quantity demanded, which would represent an upward movement along the demand curve, typically resulting from a price decrease. A "Shift" describes a change in demand at every price level, which could be caused by factors such as consumer income or preferences, leading to an entirely new demand curve. "Equilibrium" refers to the point in the market where the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied, and does not pertain to movement along the demand curve itself. Thus, "Contraction" is the appropriate term for a downward movement along the demand curve.