What role do refrigerants play in a refrigeration cycle?

Refrigerants are substances specifically designed to absorb and release heat as they circulate through a refrigeration system. Their primary role is to transfer heat from the location being cooled to another location, often outside of the enclosed space.

In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant evaporates at low pressure and temperature, absorbing heat from the environment where cooling is desired. This absorbed heat then allows the refrigerant to change phase from liquid to gas. Once the refrigerant is in gaseous form, it is compressed, which increases its pressure and temperature. The hot, high-pressure gas then moves to the condenser, where it releases the absorbed heat to the outside environment and changes back to a liquid. This cyclic process enables consistent and efficient heat transfer, making it essential for maintaining the desired temperature within a space.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary function of refrigerants in the cycle. While refrigerants may experience changes in pressure and can play a role in establishing the operational characteristics of the refrigeration system, their main purpose remains the transfer of heat.