In the evaporator, latent heat is transferred from the refrigerated space to the refrigerant.

• A. Latent heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the refrigerated space
• B. Sensible heat is transferred from the space to the refrigerant
• C. Latent heat is transferred from the refrigerated space to the refrigerant
• D. There is no heat transfer

Answer: (C)

In the evaporator, the refrigerant is kept at a low pressure so its boiling point is below the space temperature. Heat flows from the warmer refrigerated space into the evaporator, and the refrigerant absorbs that energy as it changes from liquid to vapor. This energy absorption during phase change is latent heat, and it’s the main way the evaporator removes heat from the space. While there can be some initial sensible heating of the liquid up to its boiling point, the key process is the latent heat required for vaporization, which moves from the refrigerated space into the refrigerant.