Tempered glass shatters on tile primarily because tile is very hard and has microscopic sharp points on its surface that are not perceptible to touch. When tempered glass, which is designed to be strong on its flat surfaces but has a vulnerable edge, strikes these hard and sharp points on the tile, the edges can chip or crack. This initiates a release of the internal stresses within the tempered glass, causing it to shatter suddenly. Tempered glass is manufactured by heating the glass intensely and then cooling the exterior surfaces quickly, which compresses the surface to increase its strength. However, this process makes the edges prone to chipping or damage if struck against hard materials like tile, which do not flex or give way like softer surfaces (e.g., carpet or wood). If the edge of tempered glass hits the tile, the glass either bends (which it cannot easily do) or cracks, leading to shattering. Additionally, the "smooth" tile surface is actually uneven on a microscopic level, containing many tiny, sharp points that can cause stress points on the glass on impact. This combination of tile's hardness and the edge vulnerability of tempered glass explains why tempered glass is especially prone to shatter when dropped on tile surfaces.