MCQ Detailed View

Modern refrigerators rely on a specific type of gas known as a refrigerant to absorb heat and keep the inside of the appliance cool. The gas most commonly used in refrigerators today is Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a). This compound belongs to a group of chemicals known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and is designed to be safe, efficient, and environmentally friendlier compared to older refrigerants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Refrigerators work on the principle of heat transfer. The refrigerant circulates through the coils of the refrigerator, constantly changing between liquid and gaseous states. When tetrafluoroethane evaporates inside the coils, it absorbs heat from the water or air inside the refrigerator, thus lowering the temperature. The gas is then compressed and condensed back into a liquid, releasing the absorbed heat to the environment outside the refrigerator.

Other gases like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane are not suitable for this process:

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  Nitrogen is inert and does not have the required properties for efficient heat absorption and release in refrigeration cycles.

  
  


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  Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is sometimes used in industrial refrigeration but not in common household refrigerators.

  
  


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  Methane is flammable and unsafe for use in such systems.

  
  

Tetrafluoroethane is non-flammable, chemically stable, and highly efficient in absorbing and releasing heat, which makes it the preferred choice for domestic and automotive refrigerators.This question belongs to Chemistry because it deals with the chemical properties of refrigerants, their thermal behavior, and their role in cooling technology. Understanding the function of gases like tetrafluoroethane helps explain how refrigeration systems maintain low temperatures safely and effectively.