Final answer:
To balance the equation, you would need to change the coefficient in front of water from 1 to 2, but this also affects the hydrogen atoms. To balance the hydrogen atoms, a coefficient of 2 should be placed in front of the reactant H₂.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to balance the given equation while only affecting the oxygen, you would need to change the coefficient in front of water from 1 to 2. However, doing so also changes the number of hydrogen atoms on the product side. To balance the hydrogen atoms, you would need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of the reactant H₂.