In Example 13.2 we learned that the 12C(α, n)15O cross section is much larger than the 1...

In Example 13.2 we learned that the ¹²C(α, n)¹⁵O cross section is much larger than the ¹²C(α, p)¹⁵N reaction for E_α = 14.6 MeV. We believe this is evidence of a resonance in ¹⁶O. If it is a resonance, why aren’t both neutron and proton exit channels strongly populated? Why do we conclude the difference must be due to quantum numbers in the exit channel? Can the Coulomb barrier in the exit channels make a difference?