What makes sodium chloride hard?

Sodium chloride, also known as table salt, is a crystalline solid at room temperature. Its hardness is due to the strong ionic bonds between the sodium and chloride ions in its crystal lattice structure. These bonds hold the ions together in a rigid and orderly arrangement, giving sodium chloride its characteristic hardness. Additionally, the compact and closely packed arrangement of ions in the crystal lattice also contributes to its hardness.

Sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt, is not considered hard in the typical sense. It is a crystalline solid with a Mohs hardness of 2, which is relatively soft and easily scratched.