The squeal of peeling tape, explained

Nature News · Mar 2, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT 02 March 2026 Weak shock waves triggered by micro-cracks in the adhesive layer of tape cause it to screech when being unspooled from its roll. The simple act of retrieving a piece of tape triggers cracks that travel at supersonic speeds, ultimately creating a trademark shrill sound. Credit: Getty Experiments have uncovered the physical mechanism responsible for the screeching sound that adhesive tape makes when peeled from a roll1. Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access $199.00 per year only $3.90 per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Additional access options: Log in Learn about institutional subscriptions Read our FAQs Contact customer support doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00516-w Subjects Latest on: Physics Limitations of probing field-induced response with STM Matters Arising 25 FEB 26 Reply to: Limitations of probing field-induced response with STM Matters Arising 25 FEB 26 Light-confining device can control superconductivity — even in the dark News & Views 25 FEB 26