In the refrigeration cycle, what occurs during the compression stage?

During the compression stage of the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant is indeed compressed and heated. In this stage, the refrigerant vapor enters the compressor, where it is subjected to a significant increase in pressure. As the volume of the refrigerant decreases due to this compression, its temperature also rises due to the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature defined by the ideal gas law.

This increase in pressure and temperature is crucial for the subsequent stages of the refrigeration cycle. Once the refrigerant has been compressed and heated, it moves to the next stage, which is typically the condensation stage. The elevated temperature and pressure allow the refrigerant to release the heat it absorbed from the environment into the condenser, where it changes state from vapor to liquid.

Understanding this stage is fundamental because it sets up the cycle for effective heat transfer, enabling the refrigeration system to remove excess heat from an area, thereby cooling it efficiently.