The best way to learn is start with the characteristics of each component. Fortunately each component can be modeled with network of other passive combinations of RLC. Construction of the conductor and dielectric qualities are what makes the millions of different capacitors and their designs different using a dozen basic material ( ceramic, plastic films, tantalum, Alum electr, paper, mica etc ) types to fulfill hundreds of different application requirements.
For high current, ESR or effective Series Resistance, is critical which also affects the rated rms ripple current and the peak surge current and feedback voltage sensed in feedback SMPS circuits. The range of ESR affects the gain, and stability of feedback loops.
For RF, the ESL or Effective Series Inductance, is critical which is often specified by the Series Resonant Frequency, SRF. ( often called Self Res. Freq) and in Microwave there are also important impedance modes for the Parallel Resonance Frequency or PRF and often simply characterized by a full matrix table of S parameters.
For low leakage current integrator or Sample & Holds or long time constants, a high parallel resistance or Self discharge time constant is important.
For high voltage applications, dielectric strength, self-healing characteristics and fail safe modes and safety agency approvals are critical and labelled by line to line or line to ground etc by different class levels such as X1,X2,X3 and Y1,Y2,Y3.
It is important to remember all insulators are dielectrics and there is always trade-off between each of the parameters such as cost, size, voltage rating, ripple current, ESR, SRF, temperature rating, temperature coefficient, voltage stability, polarization effects, microphonic effects, memory effects.
Lifetime is significantly degraded when a design uses the the capability that results in thermal stress or breakdown stress or any type of stress, so margins must be considered and everything derated conservatively.
For example here is the equivalent circuit of a ceramic cap.