What initial element do scientists believe our solar system began as around 4.5 billion years ago?

The initial element that scientists believe our solar system began as is gas and dust, primarily referring to the cloud of gas and dust known as the solar nebula. This nebula was composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, along with heavier elements that had accumulated from previous generations of stars. Over time, the gravitational forces caused this gas and dust to collapse and form a rotating disk, leading to the birth of the Sun and the planets.

The term "gas and dust" encompasses the broad mixture of materials present in the nebula, which provided the necessary components for planet formation. This mix eventually gave rise to the various bodies in our solar system, as particles coalesced and underwent processes such as accretion and differentiation. Understanding this initial state is crucial for grasping how our solar system evolved into its current structure and composition.