What happens to refrigerant in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle after it leaves the condenser?

• A. It is expelled into the atmosphere
• B. It enters the evaporator as a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant
• C. It is immediately compressed again
• D. It is discarded as waste

Answer: (B)

In a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, after the refrigerant leaves the condenser, it indeed enters the evaporator as a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The condenser’s primary role is to remove heat from the refrigerant, causing it to condense from a vapor to a liquid. Once this process is complete, the refrigerant is now in a liquid state and at a higher pressure, but as it exits the condenser, it is allowed to expand.

When the refrigerant enters the evaporator, it begins to absorb heat from the surrounding environment, causing it to evaporate back into a gas. This absorption of heat is what provides the cooling effect in the system. Thus, the vaporization of the refrigerant in the evaporator is a critical step in maintaining the refrigeration cycle, allowing the system to continue functioning efficiently by extracting heat from the area being cooled.

The other options do not accurately describe what happens after the condenser; the refrigerant is not expelled into the atmosphere, compressed again immediately, or discarded as waste. Instead, it effectively transitions into the next crucial stage of the refrigeration process.