I understand that hydrocarbon polymers have repeating chains of hydrocarbons:

I also understand that combustion of hydrocarbons produces energy by breaking bonds:

And I can find dozens of explanations of how combustion works in an engine.

My question

What does the chemical reaction (not equation) of hydrocarbon polymer combustion actually look like?

In other words, how is a hydrocarbon polymer actually broken down to form energy?

• What process actually breaks up the polymer into its respective monomers (methane?) for combustion to take place?

Please explain. I would also love a visual (like this or this ) if someone could find one!

I understand that combustion of hydrocarbons (such as alkanes) produces energy by breaking bonds:

$$\ce{C_nH_{2n} + $\frac{3n}{2}$ O2 -> nCO2 + n H2O}$$

And I can find dozens of explanations of how combustion works in an engine.

What does the chemical reaction (not equation) of hydrocarbon polymer combustion actually look like?

In other words, how is a hydrocarbon polymer actually broken down to form energy?

• What process actually breaks up the polymer into its respective monomers (methane?) for combustion to take place?

Please explain. I would also love a visual (like this or this ) if someone could find one!

I understand that octane is a hydrocarbon with 8 carbons:

I also understand combustion of hydrocarbons to produce energy:

And I can find dozens of explanations of how combustion works in an engine.

My question

What does the chemical reaction (not equation) of gasoline combustion actually look like?

In other words, how is octane actually broken down to form energy?

• What process actually breaks up octane into its respective monomers for combustion to take place?

Please explain. I would also love a visual (like this or this ) if someone could find one!

I understand that hydrocarbon polymers have repeating chains of hydrocarbons:

I also understand that combustion of hydrocarbons produces energy by breaking bonds:

And I can find dozens of explanations of how combustion works in an engine.

My question

What does the chemical reaction (not equation) of hydrocarbon polymer combustion actually look like?

In other words, how is a hydrocarbon polymer actually broken down to form energy?

• What process actually breaks up the polymer into its respective monomers (methane?) for combustion to take place?

Please explain. I would also love a visual (like this or this ) if someone could find one!