The surface vibrations of H-terminated Si(111) are investigated by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). Clear evidence is obtained for reassigning the electron resonant scattering from a surface resonance to a negative ion resonance mechanism. Since the electrons emitted from the trapping states show characteristic angular diffraction patterns realated with the geometric and vibrational symmetries of the surface, we suggest the possibility of using this system to investigate vibrationally resolved electron diffraction processes.