Does a hot air balloon use helium?

No, a hot air balloon does not use helium. Instead, it relies on heated air to create lift; the air inside the balloon is heated using a burner, which makes it less dense than the cooler air outside, allowing the balloon to rise. Helium is typically used in other types of balloons, like party balloons, due to its lighter-than-air properties, but hot air balloons operate on the principle of hot air.