what cord type do I need to connect an iPad to a Mac air, and will this also transport pictures from camera sim-card to Mac air?

I've was recently gifted a new 2020 MBA and noticed the USB-C connection. So, I also have an iPad and wanted to use a battery status app I recently downloaded for the Mac to check the status of the battery on my iPad. It's Lightning.

I ordered a USB-C to Lightning cord from Apple so that I could connect it to my MBA. $20 and 2 days shipping and it arrived. After a few permissions granting on each device, it worked out fine.

Hope this helps.

There have been 3 different connection types on iPads and 2 typed on MacBook Airs. What model iPad and what is the model year of your MacBook Air (from Apple menu > About this Mac).