Which term describes a multipart assembly of coupled components exhibiting structured behavior, such as in a refrigerator?

The term that best describes a multipart assembly of coupled components exhibiting structured behavior, such as in a refrigerator, is a thermal system. This is because a refrigerator operates primarily based on thermodynamics principles, manipulating heat transfer to achieve cooling.

In a thermal system, components such as the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and refrigerant work together to move heat from the inside of the fridge to the external environment. The structured behavior is observed as these components work in concert to maintain a controlled temperature, efficiently transferring energy and ensuring the desired thermal conditions.

On the other hand, while electrical, fluid, and mechanical systems involve coupled components and structured behaviors, they do not specifically address the purpose and functionality associated with temperature management and heat transfer that define a thermal system. For instance, an electrical system would focus predominantly on the flow of electrical energy, a fluid system would be concerned with the movement and behavior of fluids, and a mechanical system would primarily deal with motion and forces without necessarily incorporating the concept of heat transfer as central to its operation.