What is the term for the point where freon changes from gas to liquid in a vapor-cycle cooling system?

In a vapor-cycle cooling system, the point where freon changes from gas to liquid is known as the condenser. The condenser serves as a heat exchanger where the gaseous refrigerant enters and releases heat to the surrounding environment, allowing it to undergo a phase change from a vapor to a liquid. This process is crucial for the cooling cycle: by removing heat from the refrigerant, the condenser effectively increases the refrigerant's pressure as it transitions to a liquid state, making it ready to circulate back through the system.

The other components play different roles in the cooling cycle. The evaporator is where the refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates into gas. The expansion valve regulates the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, leading to a decrease in pressure and temperature, while the compressor pumps the vaporized refrigerant and increases its pressure for the condenser. Each component is essential, but the specific function of changing the refrigerant from gas to liquid occurs in the condenser.