Step 1: Understanding the Concept
The primitive atmosphere of the earth was reducing, with no free oxygen.
Step 2: Role of hydrogen
Hydrogen atoms were the most numerous and the most reactive. They combined with oxygen, nitrogen and carbon to form water, ammonia and methane.
Step 3: Chemical evolution
These simple compounds were the raw material for the chemical evolution that led to the first organic molecules.
Step 4: Conclusion
So hydrogen was the most active element in the primitive atmosphere.
Final Answer:
Hydrogen was the most active element in the primitive atmosphere.
\[ \boxed{\text{(D) }\text{Hydrogen}} \]