In a refrigeration cycle, the initial stage of the refrigerant is:

In a refrigeration cycle, the initial stage of the refrigerant is typically a liquid because the cycle starts with the refrigerant entering the expansion device or capillary tube after having been condensed. The pressurized liquid refrigerant is then released into a lower-pressure area, usually the evaporator, where it begins to absorb heat and change its state.

Starting with the refrigerant in a liquid state is essential for efficient operation. This allows it to absorb heat effectively as it evaporates into a vapor in the evaporator, which is a critical step in the refrigeration process that facilitates cooling. The phase change from liquid to vapor is what enables the system to remove heat from the environment being cooled.

Other states of the refrigerant, such as gas or superheated vapor, do not correspond to the initial stage of the refrigeration cycle, as they would occur after the refrigerant has absorbed heat and vaporized. A saturated liquid is also not the correct answer in this context, as it generally indicates a state where the refrigerant is at its boiling point and still in the process of changing from liquid to vapor.