an iron ball at 40 degree celsius is dropped in a mug containing water at 40 degree celsius what happens?

It sinks to the bottom of the mug. Temperatures do not change, since there is thermodynamic equilibrium when temperatures are equal. This is true no matter what the masses of ball and mug are.

When the iron ball at 40 degree Celsius is dropped into a mug containing water at 40 degree Celsius, several things will happen:

1. Heat transfer: The iron ball and water are at the same initial temperature, meaning that both substances have the same amount of thermal energy. When they come into contact, heat will transfer between them by a process called conduction.

2. Temperature equalization: Both the iron ball and the water will try to reach thermal equilibrium, which means that their temperatures will tend to become the same. Heat will transfer from the iron ball to the water or vice versa until the temperatures of both substances are equal.

3. Convection currents: As heat transfers between the iron ball and the water, it causes convection currents to form within the water. These currents result from the density differences caused by the temperature variation in the water. Warmer water near the iron ball will rise while cooler water descends, creating a circulating pattern.

4. Expansion: As the water absorbs heat from the iron ball, it will expand slightly due to thermal expansion. This expansion is because most substances, including water, increase in volume as they heat up.

Overall, the iron ball will transfer heat to the water, causing temperature equalization and the formation of convection currents within the mug. The temperature of both the iron ball and the water will eventually become the same, assuming no external factors, such as heat loss to the environment, are present.