Final answer:
Caleb pushes into Joshua due to what is referred to as centrifugal force, a fictitious force experienced within a rotating frame of reference, like a turning car. This arises from inertia, as passengers' bodies tend to continue in a straight line while the car itself changes direction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is about a Volkswagen Beetle veering left as it drives up a mountain pass, and why Caleb, sitting behind the driver, pushes into Joshua in the center of the back seat. The effect Caleb experiences is due to centrifugal force, which is actually a fictitious force that arises in a rotating frame of reference. When the car turns, inertia wants to keep Caleb moving in a straight line, but the car itself is changing direction. This conflict creates the sensation of being pushed outward, which in this case is towards the ridge. From a physics standpoint, this effect is due to inertia (Newton's first law) and is commonly referenced as centrifugal force in a rotating reference frame, like being inside the turning car.
When the car turns left, friction between the tires and the road provides the centripetal force necessary to change the direction of the car. However, inside the car, passengers feel as though they are being pushed towards the outside of the turn due to inertial effects. This sensation is what's often referred to as centrifugal force. The real force acting on the car is the centripetal force, pulling the vehicle inward towards the center of the circular path, while the outward force felt by the passengers is the result of their body's tendency to continue in a straight line.