An example that helped me understand how waves interact with matter is

watching a surfer riding a wave. When a wave approaches the shore, it interacts with the sand and rocks underneath the water. The energy from the wave causes the water to rise and fall, creating the perfect condition for the surfer to catch a ride on the wave. This interaction between the wave and the sandy bottom of the ocean illustrates how waves can be influenced by the material they encounter, and how they can transfer energy to that material.