Here's why:

* Transverse waves are waves where the particles of the medium move perpendicular (at a right angle) to the direction the wave travels.

* Longitudinal waves, on the other hand, have particles that move parallel to the direction the wave travels.

Think of it like this:

* Transverse wave: Imagine a rope tied to a wall. If you shake the rope up and down, you create a wave that travels along the rope. The rope itself (the particles) move up and down, while the wave travels horizontally.

* Longitudinal wave: Imagine a spring. If you compress a section of the spring and then release it, a compression wave travels along the spring. The individual coils of the spring move back and forth in the same direction the wave travels.

Examples of transverse waves:

* Light waves

* Waves on a string

* Water waves (to a certain extent - they are a bit more complex)

Examples of longitudinal waves:

* Sound waves

* Seismic waves (P-waves)