Which statement accurately describes the functioning of an evaporative cooler?

An evaporative cooler functions by utilizing the process of evaporation to lower air temperature. When water evaporates, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air, which leads to a drop in air temperature. This method is particularly effective in areas with low humidity, as the drier air can absorb more moisture, enhancing the cooling effect. Essentially, the cooler draws warm air through water-saturated pads, where the air is cooled through evaporation before being distributed into the living space.

The other options describe different cooling methods that do not apply to evaporative coolers. Mechanical refrigeration cycles involve the use of refrigerants and compression methods, which is not how evaporative coolers operate. Similarly, circulating chilled liquid pertains to traditional air conditioning systems that rely on refrigeration cycles. Finally, relying on chemical refrigerants is characteristic of standard HVAC systems rather than evaporative coolers, which do not use these substances. Thus, option B reflects the core mechanism of an evaporative cooler accurately.