The decay of an atomic nucleus is determined by the underlying nuclear forces and the energy balance within the nucleus. While it is true that a hydrogen atom consists of a single proton and electron, converting another element with three or more protons into hydrogen is not as straightforward as simply removing or adding a proton.
The stability and properties of atomic nuclei are determined by the interplay of the strong nuclear force, electromagnetic force, and other fundamental interactions. The stability of a nucleus is governed by the ratio of protons to neutrons, as well as the specific nuclear forces involved.
In the case of elements with three or more protons, these nuclei have a different arrangement of protons and neutrons compared to a hydrogen nucleus. Changing the number of protons in an atomic nucleus would require significant rearrangement of the nuclear structure, which is not easily achievable through simple addition or removal of protons.
Moreover, the binding energy of a nucleus, which holds the protons and neutrons together, depends on the specific combination of nucleons (protons and neutrons) within that nucleus. A stable nucleus with a specific set of nucleons will have a lower total energy than a nucleus with a different set of nucleons.
While nuclear reactions and decays can occur, they involve processes such as nuclear fission, fusion, or radioactive decay, which typically require the input or release of significant amounts of energy. These processes involve more complex changes in the atomic nucleus and are not as straightforward as converting one element directly into another by altering the proton count.
In summary, converting an element with three or more protons into hydrogen is not a simple matter of removing or adding a proton. The stability and nuclear structure of an element are determined by the specific arrangement of protons and neutrons, as well as the interplay of fundamental forces, making such a transformation highly improbable without significant energy input or complex nuclear reactions.