The fundamental principles and applications of thermodynamics and single-component phase equilibrium are used to explain and quantitatively analyze the operation and performance of the vapor-compression refrigerator (VCR). Carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant. The four processes (or steps) that comprise the VCR refrigeration cycle are explained. The thermophysical properties of CO[subscript 2] are used to calculate the heat, work, and changes in internal energy, enthalpy, and entropy for each step. Plots of pressure versus molar volume (V[subscript m]), temperature versus V[subscript m], and temperature versus molar entropy are presented. The coefficient of performance, an index of refrigerator efficiency, is calculated.