Sodium chloride and fluorite both have cubic atomic arrangements. Which statement best explains why they have different relative hardness values?

Sodium chloride is softer because the attractions between its Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions are weaker than the attractions between Ca²⁺ and F⁻ ions in fluorite. The ions in fluorite have greater charges, which generally makes their ionic bonding stronger and the mineral harder. A cubic arrangement alone does not determine hardness.

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