What is the theoretical electric field around a charged particle? What is the theoretical electric field around a line of charge with a charge density of C/m? (Use Gauss' law if necessary to obtain these expressions). Note in particular the different dependence of the electric field on distance for these two charge geometries.

Use the MATLAB code to calculate the electric field around a "small" charge. Export the electric field strength as a function of x position, import it into another package you are familiar with and plot it. Fit the calculated electric field. What function of position fits best - the function that describes the electric field around a point charge or a line charge?

Increase the diameter of the charged rod and assume the charge in the rod is uniformly distributed over its cross section. Compare the theoretical electric field distribution inside the wire (use Gauss' law if necessary) with that calculated by MATLAB once again by fitting.

What is the physical significance of the divergence of the electric field? Determine the analytical expressions for the curl of the electric field outside and inside the rod and compare your expressions.