What is the role of the compressor in an A/C system?

The role of the compressor in an A/C system is primarily to circulate refrigerant through the system. It is responsible for taking the low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant gas from the evaporator and compressing it into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. This compression process increases the refrigerant's pressure and temperature, allowing it to flow through the system effectively.

Once the refrigerant is compressed, it moves to the condenser, where it releases heat to the outside environment and turns back into a liquid state. By circulating the refrigerant, the compressor ensures that the entire A/C system operates efficiently, moving heat from indoors to outdoors to provide cooling. This function is crucial for maintaining the desired temperature within the space being cooled.

The other options include tasks performed by different components in the system. The expansion valve, for instance, is responsible for expanding the refrigerant, and the evaporator absorbs heat from the surroundings, while the condenser's function involves condensing the refrigerant. These roles illustrate the collaborative functions of the A/C components, but the compressor's primary role is indeed to circulate the refrigerant.