retrolefty:
Anyway that gate/source junction while insulated does have a significantly large amount of gate to source capacitance and when the output pin changes from low to high or high to low it has to supply significant current flow to charge or discharge the gate capacitance. This current flow is real and depending on the specific amount of capacitance a specific mosfet has could tax the arduino output current rating. So that is why many recommend a small value series gate resistor. You most likely could wire up without it, but most people like to pamper their arduino boards so they suggest gate resistors.Lefty
Ah I see - thanks Lefty.
I finally got my Arduino kit ordered so we'll be into the fray by next week ...