Equivalent series resistance (ESR) represents the measurement of total energy loss in a capacitor.
In this paper a simple method for measuring the ESR of ceramic capacitors based on the analysis of
the oscillations of an LCR circuit is proposed. It is shown that at frequencies under 3300 Hz, the
ESR is directly proportional to the period of oscillations. Based on the determined dependence of
the ESR on the period, a method is devised and tested for measuring coil inductance. All
measurements were performed using the standard equipment found in student laboratories, which makes
both methods very suitable for implementation at high school and university levels.