A condenser converts the refrigerant from _____ to _____ when it removes heat.

The correct answer identifies the essential function of a condenser in a refrigeration system. A condenser plays a critical role in the refrigeration cycle, where it serves to remove heat from the refrigerant. The refrigerant enters the condenser as a gas that is typically at a high pressure and high temperature, having absorbed heat from the surroundings or from the evaporator.

As the refrigerant passes through the condenser, it releases its latent heat to the surrounding environment, typically through air or water-cooled methods. This heat removal causes the gas to cool down and change phase. Consequently, the refrigerant transforms from a gaseous state to a liquid state. This phase change is crucial because it prepares the refrigerant for the next step in the cycle, where it will again absorb heat in the evaporator, completing the cycle of heat transfer.

The focus on this gas-to-liquid transition highlights the fundamental mechanics of a refrigeration system, emphasizing the importance of heat removal in enabling the refrigerant to cycle efficiently and effectively.