What is the state of the refrigerant entering the condenser?

The correct choice identifies the state of the refrigerant entering the condenser as being in a high-pressure, high superheated vapor form. This status is crucial for understanding how a vapor-compression refrigerant cycle works, specifically during the phase where the refrigerant transitions from the evaporator to the condenser.

In the refrigeration cycle, after the refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates in the evaporator, it becomes a low-pressure vapor. This vapor is then compressed by the compressor, which increases its pressure and temperature. By the time the refrigerant reaches the condenser, it is in a high-pressure state due to the work done by the compressor. The superheated vapor status indicates that the refrigerant's temperature is above its saturation temperature at that pressure, meaning the vapor has not yet begun to condense into a liquid.

Understanding this state is critical as it informs how the condenser functions; it must remove heat from this high-energy vapor to convert it into a liquid so that it can return to the evaporator. The terms "high pressure" and "high superheated" highlight that the refrigerant entering the condenser is energetic and requires a heat exchange process to facilitate its phase change effectively.