Which of the following describes an exothermic reaction?

An exothermic reaction is characterized by the release of energy in the form of heat to the surroundings. This release of heat can raise the temperature of the surrounding environment, often resulting in the reaction mixture feeling hot to the touch. The process of forming products from the reactants in an exothermic reaction typically involves the breaking of bonds in the reactants and the formation of stronger bonds in the products, which results in a net release of energy.

In contrast, reactions that absorb heat from the surroundings, resulting in a cooling sensation, would be categorized as endothermic. Although there are many types of chemical reactions, exothermic reactions do not exclusively involve solids; they can include gases and liquids as well. Lastly, while some exothermic reactions can be spontaneous, not all occur without a temperature change, as certain conditions may temporarily affect the temperature during the reaction.