Refrigerators are located in almost every kitchen across America. They preserve our food by keeping it cold. Although these are a very standard household item, not many people understand just how these are able to cool the temperature within their compartments. This is done using a thermodynamic system.

Thermodynamics govern the world in which we live. Thermodynamic systems define the way in which heat transfer occurs. A thermodynamic system is a region in which the boundaries are defined to help determine the processes that are allowed to occur to affect the area within the boundaries. In the case of a refrigerator, the system would be the elements, which make up the refrigerator and the surroundings would be the household.

Refrigerators use four simple components. These components are: a compressor, a pump, an expansion valve, cooling coils, and coolant. Each of these are an integral part of the cooling system.