Why does an exothermic reaction occur

An exothermic reaction occurs when the energy used to break the bonds in the reactants (the starting stuff) is less than the energy released when new bonds are made in the products (the stuff you end up with). ... Combustion is an example of an exothermic reaction- you can feel the heat given off if you get too close!

Explanation:

"you start with 15.67 g mgco3-xh2o, when heated and all the water is removed, you are left with 7.58 g mgco3 only.

therefore, you had 15.67 - 7.58 = 8.09g h2o  

moles of each :

7.58g mgco3 = ? moles = 7.58g / 83.4g/mole = 0.09moles  

8 09g h2o = ? moles = 8.09g / 18g/mole = 0.44moles  

molar ratio between the two by dividing both numbers by the smallest number :

0.09 / 0.09 = 1  

0.44 / 0.09 = 4.8  

mgco3-5h2o"