What happens to the refrigerant pressure when it passes through the compressor?

• A. It decreases slightly
• B. It increases significantly
• C. It remains the same
• D. It fluctuates unpredictably

Answer: (B)

The compressor raises the refrigerant pressure on the high‑pressure side by doing work on the gas. It takes in low‑pressure, low‑temperature vapor from the evaporator and compresses it, which increases both its pressure and temperature. That pressure rise is significant because it provides the driving force for heat rejection in the condenser, where the high‑pressure refrigerant releases heat and condenses back into a liquid. The exact amount of pressure increase depends on the refrigerant and compressor design, but the purpose of the compressor is to create a high discharge pressure.