jQuery Tutorial plus Question:

The animate function is used to apply the custom animation effect to elements.

Syntax:
$(selector).animate({params}, [duration], [easing], [callback])
"param" defines the CSS properties on which you want to apply the animation.
"duration" specify how long the animation will run. It can be one of following values : "slow", "fast", "normal" or milliseconds
"easing" is the string which specify the function for the transition.
"callback" is the function which we want to run once the animation effect is complete.

For example:
<div id="clickToAnimate">
Click Me
</div>
<div id="mydiv" style="width:200px; height:300px; position: relative; right: 20px;">
</div>

Following is the jQuery to animate opacity, left offset, and height of the mydiv element
$('# clickToAnimate').click(function() {
$('#book').animate({
opacity: 0.30,
left: '+=20',
height: 'toggle'
}, 3000, function() {
// run after the animation complete.
});
});