What characteristic should an ideal refrigerant possess?

An ideal refrigerant should possess high latent heat because this characteristic allows it to absorb and release a significant amount of heat during phase changes, such as evaporation and condensation. A refrigerant with a high latent heat of vaporization can effectively transport heat away from the area being cooled, which improves the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle. This is vital for maintaining the required temperatures in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

By having a high latent heat, a refrigerant can maximize the cooling effect with a relatively small amount of refrigerant used, enhancing the overall efficiency of the system. This efficiency reduces energy consumption and operational costs, making it an essential characteristic for a suitable refrigerant in various applications.

The other options, while they might seem relevant, do not address the core function of refrigerants in terms of heat transfer efficiency as specifically as high latent heat does.