What term describes the volume of a refrigerant under a specific pressure and temperature?

The term that describes the volume of a refrigerant under a specific pressure and temperature is specific volume. Specific volume is defined as the volume occupied by a unit mass of a substance and is typically expressed in cubic feet per pound (ft³/lb) or cubic meters per kilogram (m³/kg). It varies with changes in temperature and pressure, making it a critical property in thermodynamic calculations related to refrigeration systems.

Understanding specific volume is essential in refrigeration because it helps determine how much refrigerant is needed to absorb or reject heat and the efficiency of the system. This property is closely related to the behavior of refrigerants in both the vapor and liquid phases, allowing engineers to design and operate systems based on their performance characteristics at different operating conditions.