Here's why:
* Short vowel sounds are typically found in closed syllables, meaning the vowel is followed by a consonant. In "eat", the vowel "e" is followed by the consonant "t".
* Long vowel sounds are often found in open syllables (vowel at the end of the word) or when the vowel has a silent "e" at the end.
The "e" in "eat" makes the short "e" sound, similar to the "e" in words like "bed", "pen", and "set".