- Reflection: Waves bounce off a surface and return to their original medium. For instance, waves reflected from a wall create an echo.

- Refraction: Waves change direction as they pass from one medium to another. An example of refraction is the way a straw appears bent when placed in a glass of water.

- Diffraction: Waves spread out as they pass through an opening or around an object. For example, water waves spread out as they pass through a gap in a pier.

- Interference: Waves combine to produce a new wave pattern. An example of interference is the way two waves can combine to create a standing wave.

- Absorption: Waves are absorbed by a material and converted into another form of energy. An instance of absorption is how sound waves are absorbed by a carpet.

- Dispersion: Waves separate into their component frequencies when traveling through a medium. For example, a prism disperses white light into its component colors.

- Polarization: Waves vibrate in a particular direction. An instance of polarization is the way sunglasses block horizontally polarized light but allow vertically polarized light to pass through.