Maurice Alexander, age 14, of Mesa, Ariz., for his question:

WHEN WAS NEON DISCOVERED?.

Neon is a colorless and odorless gas that is found in small quantities in our atmosphere. While distilling liquid air in 1898, two English chemists named Sir William Ramsay and M.W. Travers found a small residue left. A check of the residue showed the presence of a new substance. It was a gas that the two named "neon," meaning, "the new one."

It was discovered that if a tube from which the air has been drawn is filled with neon gas and an electric current is passed through it, a beautiful reddish orange glow is given off. Neon rays, like other red rays, can penetrate thick fog and atmosphere more easily than other types of light. Neon tubes have had only a limited use for signal purposes.

The greatest use of neon, however, is in electric advertising signs. By adding small amounts of other gases, such as helium, mercury and argon, all colors are possible.

Neon gas is also used in certain electronic tubes, warning indicators and testing lamps.