  Metaheuristic algorithms are methods devised to efficiently solve
computationally challenging optimization problems. Researchers have taken
inspiration from various natural and physical processes alike to formulate
meta-heuristics that have successfully provided near-optimal or optimal
solutions to several engineering tasks. This chapter focuses on meta-heuristic
algorithms modelled upon non-linear physical phenomena having a concrete
optimization paradigm, having shown formidable exploration and exploitation
abilities for such optimization problems. Specifically, this chapter focuses on
several popular physics-based metaheuristics as well as describing the
underlying unique physical processes associated with each algorithm.
