What characterized the solar nebula before the violent collapse began?

Cold and slowly rotating

Prior to the initiation of the collapse, the vast cloud of interstellar gas and dust, known as the solar nebula, existed in a state defined by being cold and exhibiting only a slow, steady rotation. This initial low-energy state meant the cloud possessed significant inertia and was in relative equilibrium. The low temperature was maintained because the material was diffuse, spread over a massive volume, preventing gravitational self-compression from generating sufficient internal heat. The slow rotation provided the initial angular momentum that, while seemingly insignificant at first, became profoundly important later when the cloud contracted, ensuring that the resulting system would inherit a spinning structure rather than collapsing purely centrally.