Why can’t JPEGS be transparent?

Question

Why can’t JPEGS be transparent?

In: 1537

Answer 1

Think of the file format as a Canvas.

For JPEG you draw on a white sheet canvas.
For PNG you write on a transparent sheet of plastic.

Obviously even if you don’t draw on everything on the JPEG, the remaining areas will be white.
On a PNG whatever you don’t paint on remains transparent.