Before mechanical refrigeration systems were introduced, people cooled their food with ice and snow, either found locally or b

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Thermal Physics-One World Essay

        Shruti Sehgal

        April 15, 2004

        Refrigeration is defined as “The process of removing heat from an enclosed space, or from a substance, to lower its pressure.” (First website given in bibliography)  In simpler terms, it is removing heat from states of matter in order to keep them cooler.  The basic need for refrigeration is to cool food and beverages, as they often get spoilt if the temperature is high.  Before actual refrigerators and other such mechanical systems were introduced, it was very common for people to cool their food with ice and snow.  These materials were either gathered from the mountains, or were provided locally.  For most of history, cellars were holes dug into the ground, covered with ice and lined with either wood or straw.

        The first known artificial system of refrigeration was demonstrated by William Cullen in 1805; however, he did not use it for any practical purpose.  It was not till later when Oliver Evans, an American inventor, designed the first actual refrigeration machine in 1948.  As more years past by, it was built and brought to life.

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        The scientific principle behind how a refrigerator actually works is quite basic. The refrigerator uses the evaporation of a liquid to absorb heat.  This liquid is often known as the refrigerant, and when used in the refrigerator, evaporates at a fairly low temperature.  This causes the cold temperatures within.  It is based on physics, and the 2nd law of thermodynamics.  A liquid is vaporized through compression, which requires kinetic energy. This draws the energy needed from the direct area; causing a loss in energy and then it becomes cooler.  The simple parts of a refrigerator include the compressor, two sets of ...

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