my Mosfet gets crazy hot whenever i drive a motor with it.

please respond quickly. i am afraid that I will ruin my arduino.

You are probably using the wrong kind of MOSFET.

I am almost positive that it is the right kind. I tried to follow the instructions in my book, but the motor failed to turn? Should i try again or just buy a motor shield?

Your title states your mosfet gets hot when you drive your motor.
Are you now saying the motor doesn't drive at all.
I think you need to provide a schematic (not a fritz) of how you have connected things

I am almost positive that it is the right kind.

But you will keep the type a secret, so no one can check.

swampgator:
please respond quickly. i am afraid that I will ruin my arduino.

Can't respond, you've given no details at all.

What motor, what voltage, what current, what MOSFET, what circuit, what code?
What book?

Come on! You expect the OP to give some information that is needed to answer his question? Why should this one be any different from most of the other newbies?

Weedpharma

I burned a transistor once when I shorted it. Are you sure you have it connected to the D, S, and G correctly? A MOSFET like an STP55 can handle temps up to 175 celsius.