NATE Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Practice Exam

What type of energy is transferred when work is done in the condenser?

1. Latent heat energy

2. Sensible heat energy

3. Both latent and sensible heat energy

4. Neither latent nor sensible heat energy

The correct answer is: Both latent and sensible heat energy

In the condenser of a refrigeration or air conditioning system, both latent heat energy and sensible heat energy are involved in the energy transfer process when work is done. Latent heat energy plays a crucial role during the phase change of the refrigerant. As the refrigerant enters the condenser in a gaseous state, it releases latent heat to the surrounding environment as it condenses into a liquid. This process occurs without a significant change in temperature, which is characteristic of latent heat transfer. Simultaneously, sensible heat energy is also transferred in the condenser. The temperature of the refrigerant decreases as it releases this energy. Thus, while the refrigerant is changing phase from gas to liquid, the sensible heat component reflects the temperature changes that occur within the system as heat is removed. Therefore, both types of energy transfer—latent heat from the phase change and sensible heat associated with temperature reduction—occur during the work done in the condenser, providing a comprehensive understanding of the energy dynamics at play.