Have you ever wondered where the rubber from your worn-out car tires goes? This podcast episode delves into the fascinating, and perhaps surprising, journey of those vanishing treads. We explore the underlying physics of tire wear, revealing that the rubber doesn't simply disappear but is transformed into microscopic particles due to friction and abrasion with the road surface. These tiny particles, measured in micrometers, become airborne and dispersed into the environment. While a single tire might lose only about 0.3 kg of rubber over its life, we uncover how this seemingly small amount accumulates to millions of tons of rubber polluting our air and waterways globally each year. Join us to learn more about this hidden environmental impact of our everyday journeys.