Final answer:
An instant cold pack gets cold due to an endothermic reaction when ammonium nitrate dissolves in water, absorbing heat and creating a sensation of cold.
Step-by-step explanation:
An instant cold pack becomes cold so quickly due to an endothermic reaction occurring within the pack. When the pack is activated, typically by squeezing it to break an internal barrier separating two components, a salt such as ammonium nitrate dissolves in water. The process of dissolution for ammonium nitrate is endothermic; it absorbs thermal energy from the water and, consequently, from the surrounding environment, including the user's body if applied to the skin. This absorption of heat results in the sensation of cold.