Energy is “removed” from the inside of the refrigerator, as the refrigerant cycles through various parts of the refrigerator. The main components of a refrigerator are depicted below.

Open the Refrigeration Learning Tool. to watch the flow of a refrigerant through the various components of the refrigerator. Notice the Internal Energy Indicator at the bottom right corner. As you watch the cycle, try to think about why the internal energy of the refrigerant is changing.